Jewish Quarter or Ghetto

Ghetto refers to an enclosed place where European Jews were once relegated to live. The term ghetto itself is believed to have originated in Venice, Italy, in 1516. That year, the Venetian government established a specific area where Jews were required to live, called the Ghetto Nuovo (New Foundry), named after a nearby iron foundry (geto in Venetian dialect). This marked the first use of the term to describe a segregated urban area for Jews. Before the Venetian ghetto, Jews often lived in distinct neighborhoods within cities across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, though these were not always legally enforced. These areas, sometimes called Jewish Quarters, emerged for several reasons: Jewish communities often preferred to live close to their synagogues, schools, and other communal institutions. In many medieval European cities, Jews were restricted to specific trades (like moneylending or peddling) and would cluster in areas where they could conduct business. During periods of heightened anti-Jewish sentiment, living together offered some sense of security. Inside the confines of the Jewish Quarter or ghetto, Jews had the autonomy to govern themselves and to sustain their own social, religious and educational institutions. Often the area was enclosed by a wall and gates which were locked at night. 

A collection of signs used to designate certain areas as Jewish Quarters or Ghettos