Dogale

What’s the most Venetian thing you can buy in Venice? A carnival mask? Murano glass? Sure. But how about… a little Moor?

If you’ve forgotten the full title of Shakespeare’s famous play, allow us to remind you: “The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.” A great story, but not entirely accurate — in real life, Moors never served the Venetian Republic. The inspiration came from a condottiero named Maurizio Otello. “Maur” is a nickname for Maurizio, and that’s where fiction took over.

That said, Moors did leave a mark in Venetian culture — most notably in traditional jewelry pieces called Moretti. Originally carved from black wood and trimmed with gold, they were worn as amulets against pirates and Ottomans. Later, during the long Venetian-Turkish wars, they became symbols of pride and military victories (rare as they were).

There’s also a theory that the Moretti represent Balthazar, the black Magus from the Nativity.

Over time, Venetian imagination gave birth to endless variations of these figures. The turbaned bust became a canvas for masterful craftsmanship — enamel, engraving, filigree…

So if you're in Venice, don't miss Dogale, a jewelry shop tucked away on Rughetta S. Apollonia, near the famous Bridge of Sighs. Here you’ll find true Venetian Moretti, handcrafted with care — and skull-themed pieces you won’t see anywhere else.