The Ghetto was instituted by the Venetian Republic in 1516 as a compulsory place of residence for Jews. The word itself, ghetto, seems to have originated in Venice: the term derives from the contortion of the work geto (‘to throw’ as a synonym for ‘to cast’), referring to the foundries that were located here in early times. 

Within the Ghetto stand the Synagogues, also called Scole - distinguished by their cupolas - and the Jewish Museum, which is accessed through Ghetto Nuovo; it is a small but very rich museum with many exemplars of the goldsmith’s and textile arts dating from between the 16th and 19th century, evidence of the Jewish traditions. 
The campo or square is also interesting for the height of its buildings that are some of the highest in the city.