Nature, history, and magic moments lulled by the waves: if the idea intrigues you, let the Venice Lagoon seduce you! The so-called Serenissima is pure magic, and thanks to its surroundings, it is known as “The queen of the Adriatic”. And it is just ten minutes by car from our welcoming Hotel Antica Corte Marchesini!
Today we will take you on a particular tour in the Venice Lagoon that will make you discover enchanting spots for a break from everyday life for the sake of relaxation, suggestions, and emotions.
The Venice Lagoon islands
Among the islands of the Venice Lagoon, one of the finest is Lido, which divides Venice from the sea. It was a pilgrimage destination for those who, from northern Europe, looked for a place to holiday in the hot Mediterranean sun. Thomas Mann talks about Lido in the pages of his novel “Death in Venice”.
If you walk or visit the place by bike, you will surely notice the liberty villas, many of which have been restored over the years and still exhibit their initial charm. If you decide to spend a weekend in Lido, you will be happy to know that its beach – perfect also for guests traveling with children because the water is very shallow for a long stretch – received the so-called bandiera blu, a recognition for its spotless waters and the services it offers.
Not far from Lido, there is the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, a place of peace and spirituality where you can connect with your deep essence. On the island, you will find a monastery of Armenian monks of the Mekhitarist order, which dates back to 1717. Before them, the island was home to a community of Benedictines, and now the island preserves an incredible cultural and artistic heritage that will make you take a step back in time.
In San Lazzaro, you can find some of humanity’s most precious treasures, such as the best-preserved Egyptian mummy in Europe, a plaster cast by Canova, the autograph of Peter the Great, and a Tibetan ivory sphere chiseled in 25 years. Among manuscripts in Armenian (the largest collection in the world) and 170,000 volumes, this curious island will transport you into history and leave you with unforgettable memories.
In the Venice Lagoon, there are so many islands, both big and small, habited and deserted, wild and with buildings: you will be spoiled for choice!
Another gem that we suggest you visit is San Servolo, with its two unmistakable bell towers. On this island, you’ll find the baroque church and the long walls of the monastery (that housed the mental institution until a few decades ago), lush gardens and eighteenth-century architecture, cloisters, and refectories now in use at Venice International University.
Lazzaretto Vecchio is worth a visit too: the Senate of the Venice Republic chose it to establish the first hospital in the world to house plague patients. Later, in the mid-nineteenth century, it became a military garrison, transformed into a municipal shelter in 1965.
If you’ve never set foot on San Clemente Island, our suggestion is to add it to your places-to-visit list. Its history dates back to 1131 when a church with a hospice for pilgrims was founded. Its name comes from the Church of San Clemente. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, it became a place for the most illustrious guests of Venice, and today you can still breathe its history.
Finally, Poveglia completes the group of islands of the southern lagoon of Venice you should visit. This place is also called “haunted island”. It is currently closed to tourism and scattered with ruins buried in greenery. Its history dates back to 1700 when it was a quarantine place for men and goods, and a hospital for plague patients that were then buried here. Ancient legends about haunted spirits, psychiatric clinics, and ghostly places make this island very creepy!
