Day 4–Jewish Ghetto, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, View from top of Dept Store, Gondola Ride

Today we had a leisurely breakfast at the apartment and then headed out for additional sight seeing.

We began by heading to the Jewish Ghetto. The Venetian Doge ordered that Jewish individuals be segregated and thus became the Jewish Ghetto. The Jewish folks developed a sense of community with one another and formed several secret Synagogues, some of which still exist today.

In the early 1500’s, the Church considered it a sin to lend people money for interest. Instead, the Jews were forced to serve as money lenders or pawn brokers. Banco Rosso is still visible in the Ghetto. It is red in color and people who bought in an item for a loan we’re given a red receipt. The saying “in the red” comes from this practice.

In the afternoon, we went to see the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of Art. Peggy was an art lover who was determined to buy a painting a day. She did so and amassed a beautiful collection of art from greats such as Picaso, Jackson Pollock, Kandinsky and many more. Peggy’s collection is displayed in her former home turned museum along the Grand Canal. Enjoy the many pics of the art.

After lunch on the water we meandered to the department store where we went to the top of the building to enjoy the great views of the canals and city.

We also stopped by the Acqua Alta Librería bookstore. This bookstore in known for storing their books in unique ways such as old bathtubs, boats, elevated crates and boxes all to try and protect the books from Venetian flooding. The also have resident cats who made an appearance for us sitting in a tree.

We closed our day of fun with a truly Venetian activity, a gondola ride. It was very interesting to learn about this profession. For instance, the gondoliers have strong family roots as gondoliers. Our gondolier spent 5 years in training. He said it is very hard. I can see why with very sharp turns, numerous boats on the water..including motorboats, as well as water conditions. It was peaceful on the side canals and interesting to see some areas we could not reach by foot.

Step count = 19,271