The history of the Venice Ghetto, how it developed, its architecture, the concrete life of its inhabitants and their relations with the whole city form the subject of this book. A reconstruction of the Ghetto in its various historical phases makes it possible to see exactly how the quarter grew. Along with that are closely analysed the Jewish religion s customs and rites, the outstanding importance of Venetian Jewish printing the first in Europe, the cultural, artistic and artisanal, linguistic, familiar and economic contexts. In short, the story of a complete and enthralling microcosm that grew and prospered for over four centuries within the Serenissima Republic.