Tour of San Lazzaro Armeni
Boat tour to San Lazzaro Armeni
San Lazzaro Armeni by boat
The Island of San Lazzaro Armeni, located across from the Venice Lido, is one of the world’s oldest centers of Armenian culture. It is entirely occupied by a monastery, the headquarters of the Mekhitarist Order.
After various uses, in the early 1700s, it became a refuge for Armenian fathers fleeing their homeland due to a Turkish invasion. In 1717, the Republic of Venice granted the island to Armenian monks who were also seeking asylum.
By 1740, restoration works transformed the island into a center of culture and science dedicated to preserving the language, literature, and traditions of the Armenian people.
Known as “miniature Armenia” due to its size, San Lazzaro remains a symbol of Armenian heritage.
San Servolo
The first island we encounter is San Servolo, a delightful island in the Southern Lagoon.
Records of San Servolo Monastery date back to 819, making it one of the oldest monasteries in the lagoon. Between the 12th and 17th centuries, it was inhabited by Benedictine nuns. Later, the island and its monastery were repurposed as a grain depot and, from 1630, as a plague hospital.
In the 18th century, it became a military hospital and subsequently a psychiatric hospital.
Today, San Servolo is home to the Franca and Franco Basaglia Foundation, the Venice International University, the AICCRE European Project Training Center, and a residence for doctoral and international exchange students.
Since 2008, it also houses a branch of the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, and since 2012, the Ca’ Foscari International College.