Commemorating the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Venice Ghetto, this magnificent hand-bound Ultimate Collection volume introduces readers to the beauty and historical and spiritual significance of the five principal synagogues in Venice, the most important markers of Jewish faith and culture in the Most Serene Republic. Behind the walls of the Ghetto, Venetian Jews expressed strong ties to the traditions of their forefathers in constructing these beautiful places of worship. The architecture, furnishings, and decorations blended the memory of their different countries of origin with traditions of Venetian artistic culture, bequeathing the City on the Lagoon enduring monuments of unparalleled eminence that remain sites of reverence and admiration.

Complimentary white gloves and signature canvas tote bag are included with each purchase from Assouline's Ultimate Collection

Umberto Fortis, former professor of Jewish-Italian literature at the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI), University of Rome, and curator of the Jewish Museum of Venice, has published prolifically in the field of Jewish studies, including La parlata del ghetto di Venezia e le parlate giudeo-italiane (Florence, 2006) and La vita quotidiana nel Ghetto: Storia e società nella rappresentazione letteraria (Leghorn, 2012). He has also edited L’antisemitismo antico (Turin, 2004) and L’antisemitismo moderno e contemporaneo (Turin, 2004), among many others. 

Over the last fifteen years, Laziz Hamani has produced work for the world’s most prestigious luxury names. Although his talent for lighting and studio techniques has been acknowledged, he still appreciates—and finds it necessary—to work on location in a more spontaneous style. He has published over thirty books on lifestyle, artistic, and luxury themes, including more than twenty Assouline titles, as well as producing several exhibitions on his personal work.

Assouline’s Ultimate Collection is an homage to the art of luxury bookmaking. Hand-bound using traditional techniques, with color plates hand-tipped on art-quality paper, each page of this limited-edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. Treating a range of topics from jewelry and fashion, fine art and the ‘Impossible Collections,’ the Ultimate Collection curates culture from around the world and across the ages. Nestled in linen clamshell presentation cases, these books attract collectors, lovers of the printed page, and those who devour the culture of our time. Signaling a new level of sophistication for true connoisseurs, these unique books are works of art in their own right.