VENICE – The Jewish ghetto in Venice is considered the first in Europe and one of the first in the world, and a new effort is underway to preserve its 16th century synagogues for the Jews who remained there and the tourists who pass through.

For nearly two years, restorers have been peeling the paint and uncovering the original foundations of three of the ghetto’s synagogues, which are believed to be the only Renaissance synagogues still in operation, said art historian David Pram.

Landau is spearheading the fundraising effort to restore the synagogues and nearby buildings both for Venice’s small Jewish community, which numbers around 450 people, and for tourists who can visit them during a guided tour of the Jewish Museum of Venice.

“I was really deeply offended by the state of the synagogues,” said Landau, a Renaissance scholar who bought a house in Venice 12 years ago. “I felt that the synagogues were in very poor condition. They had been altered beyond recognition over the centuries and needed to be cared for and loved.

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He has secured around €5m so far and expects workers to be able to complete the restoration process by the end of 2023 if the rest of the funding arrives, although the remaining €4m have now climbed to 6 million euros due to soaring construction costs. .

The Venice ghetto dates back to 1516, when the republic forced increasing numbers of Jews to settle in the area where the old foundries, or “geti,” as they were called, were located. The area, which was closed at night, became what is considered Europe’s first ghetto and remains the center of Venice’s Jewish community in the Cannaregio area.

The first synagogue dates from 1528 and was built by German Ashkenazi Jews. Others followed and served different groups, including one for Spanish Sephardic Jews and one for Italian Jews.

None are visible from the street, as the strict rules imposed by the rulers of Venice did not allow Jews to openly practice their faith. All the synagogues are hidden on the upper floors of seemingly normal buildings which, on the lower levels, housed cramped living spaces for Jewish families.

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The synagogues remained permanently operational, except during the years of World War II during the German occupation.

Venice Jewish community leader Dario Calimani said the restoration project was necessary both to maintain the religious and cultural life of Venice’s Jews today and to preserve the community’s history.

“They are a testament to the life it was, to the history of our community, small community,” he said.