If had a fiver for every time I’ve been asked since yesterday about the new charge… well anyway here are my thoughts about the €5 merchants of Venice and the Ghetto.
Venice, as everyone knows, faces an ever-growing battle to survive climate change.
And has now taken the dramatic move to charge day tourists €5 for entering the inner city on its busiest days this summer.
Opinions differ about the wisdom and the possibilities for the initiative.
With today’s doges, or councillors, arguing that it will reduce congestion and the money can be put into conservation.
While opponents say the small fee will not deter overtourism and that the problem lies elsewhere in housing.
With the explosion in AirBnBs deterring locals from getting on the housing ladder.
And the City on the Lagoon uniquely is where you need a ladder more than most.
In the Ghetto
Now as backers and sackers bicker it is instructive to reflect that exclusion zones are nothing new in Venice.
For entirely different reasons the Venetians operated the world’s first Ghetto, from the word ‘foundry’ from 1516 to 1797.
To keep the Jews out of the city at night-time gates were built with fines imposed.
Today’s Ghetto is still the hub of Jewish life with shops, restaurants, a synagogue and events and a Holocaust memorial.
All of which I would have enjoyed witnessing first hand had we not arrived there in our first visit there, on the Sabbath!
And yes despite Herself’s famous organisational skills, we have form for this.
Having cycled to cheesetown Edam from Amsterdam on the town’s half day.
The Venice waterland
Back to Venice and for all the charms of inner Venice, the Rialto, Bridge of Sighs, the Campanile and St Mark’s Square.
There is much to enjoy in the hinterland, or hinterwater as it should probably be called.
The Arsenale, the ancient gunnery area of Venice and the aforementioned Ghetto.
While there are 118 islands in the archipelago although most of us only visit two from Rialto… Murano and Burano.
Murano being where the artisan glassmakers will blow out a bespoke vase for you.
While if its lace you’re looking for and colourful fishermen canal houses then Burano is your stop-off.
Now it’s worth remembering that the charge is factored in for your sleepovers in Venice so you’ll see all the faves without the surplus.
However you do it we would always say do it.
And while you we trust you will give some thought to the €5 merchants of Venice and the Ghetto.