As a trading city and meeting point of east and west, Venice was a cosmopolitan city. Traders of all nationalities lived in the city - Egyptians, Persians, Tartars, Turks, Englishmen, Hungarians and Greeks among others. These minorities were all allowed to settle in small numbers, but they did not always enjoy the same privileges as Venetians.
The Jews were a particularly resilient minority. They first came to Venice in 1373, escaping persecution on the mainland. Their first home was on La Giudecca. In the 16th century they were housed in the Campo di Ghetto Nuovo in the northwest quarter of the city. They were heavily taxed and made to wear a distinctive yellow hat. The Ghetto Nuovo was locked up at night and guarded by Christian guards. Despite these restrictions, the Jews gradually became prosperous traders and bankers and enjoyed more freedom and protection in Venice than in most other parts of Europe.
