In this article, I present the island of Sant'Erasmolocated in the Venetian lagoon!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the island of Sant'Erasmo
- What to see and do on the island
- Easy access to Sant'Erasmo
- Practical information about the tour
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about the island of Sant'Erasmo, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Sant'Erasmo: article summary
Sant'Erasmo: discovering the Garden of Venice
The island of Sant'Erasmo lies on the Venice lagoonat the center of a triangle formed by the islands of Muranoof Burano and Punta Sabbioni.
With a surface area of 3.26 km² of landIt's the second largest island in the lagoon after Venice! I'd like to introduce you to it and explain why it's usually referred to when talking about the Venice garden.
A brief history of Sant'Erasmo
At the dawn of the XIth centurySant'Erasmo was first mentioned in texts at the time of its foundation as a port for its neighboring towns of Murano and Torcello.
At the same time, monasteries in the area began to cultivate land to stock up on fruit and vegetables. This was the beginning of a long agricultural history for Sant'Erasmo, which would earn it the status of Venice vegetable garden in the centuries that followed.
The island will lose any strategic interest with the development of its big sister Venice, through which ships passed, channelling all trade. In fact, there were fewer than 60 inhabitants in 1780By 1797, when the Republic of Venice disappeared, the number had dwindled to barely thirty.
But it retains its agricultural functionThe region's abundant natural resources and favorable climate make it an ideal location for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are grown here and then transported to the markets of Venice.
The years went by and little changed, despite an upturn in the population, which led to the construction of a church in 1841. Today, there are just over 700 inhabitants in Sant Erasmowho are involved in agricultural activities - such as fruit, vegetable or honey production - or tourism.
In fact, as well as being the Garden of Venice, the island of Sant'Erasmo is a popular spot for Venetians in search of fresh air over the summer!
What to see and do in Sant'Erasmo?
If Sant'Erasmo is all too rarely mentioned in tourist itinerariesit is however an unusual excursion worth a detour. Here's what you'll find when you explore this pretty little island!
Enjoy the beaches
Venetians' favorite seaside resort is Venice Lidowhich lies about 8 kilometers south of Sant Erasmo. But this lido is very busy in summer, and some locals prefer the beaches of Sant-Erasmo.
They are located at the entrance to the Venetian Lagoon - not on the Adriatic Sea - and depend on the tide. Sometimes the water is very low, making swimming impossible.
However, they do have a wild look that can't be found anywhere else, and which will delight nature lovers!
Discover its small canals
As you cruise around the island of Sant'Erasmo, you'll come across many small, dark channelsnarrow, far from the Venice Grand Canal. They do, however, have an undeniable charm that should appeal to photography enthusiasts.
See the Maximilian Tower
This tower was part of the military fortifications of the city, of which nothing remains today. It was erected in 1843/1844, under the direction of Archduke Maximilian of Austria.
This type of Maximilian tower can be seen in several Veneto towns, including Verona, where 4 of them still stand on the hills north of the city.
Visit the Church of Christ the King
This church is also worth a visit, with its three naves and, above all, a painting inside depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus which belongs to the Tintoretto school.
It is located right next to the vaporetto Chiesa.
Attend the purple artichoke festival
The island of Sant Erasmo is animated by a number of popular events and festivals throughout the year (notably the Befana celebrations in January), but the most important festival is that of purple artichoke !
All 2e Sunday in May, you can attend this event. A unique opportunity to taste this delicious vegetablea slightly bitter taste that is the pride of its inhabitants. It can be found in many local recipes, and believe me, it's a real treat!
Try to find it on the menu of a Venice restaurant if you can't make the party!
How to reach the island of Sant'Erasmo easily?
From Venice, it's easy to reach the island of Sant'Erasmo.
Simply take a vaporetto (line 13) from Venice, with boats departing from the stop Fondamente Nove every hour. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
Get off at the first stop, Sant Erasmo Capannone, to begin your visit, or opt for one of the other two stops: Chiesa Punta Vela.
Good to know If you're thinking of taking the vaporetti in Venice, consider the Vaporetto Pass that lets you take unlimited shots!
Sant'Erasmo: practical information and visiting tips
It's very pleasant to walk around on foot on the island of Sant'Erasmo, but there's another option for exploring the area simply: the bike !
You can rent a bike on the island, at a Bed and Breakfast offering this service, or from the surrounding islands by boarding the vaporetto.
You should also know that a Frenchman has settled in Sant'Erasmo and started up his own winery. He produces a tasty white winewhich you will find at the estate Orto di Venezia.
What to see and do in the area
From Sant'Erasmo, you can take a vaporetto to one of the nearby islands, which are served by boats.
I suggest you take the opportunity to ;
- Discover Murano and its world-renowned art of glassmaking. The island is only 20 minutes by vaporetto from Sant'Erasmo.
- Go to Cavallino-TreportiYou can visit the village of Lio Piccolo, the old convent (Mesole) or the old fort of Treporti. All you have to do is take the vaporetto, which will take you there in 30 minutes.
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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