NEWS ed Eventi

VENICE BEYOND ST. MARK SQUARE – 4

SANT’ERASMO ISLAND

 

Venice is surrounded by an archipelago of beautiful, small islands.

 

Sant’Erasmo, a green paradise, is the only island in the north lagoon where you can

ride a bicycle: four kilometres of vegetable gardens and vineyards, meadows and dirt roads, and also a small beach.

 

Since the Middle Ages, Sant’Erasmo has been known as the orto di Venezia (Venice’s garden). The soil of the island naturally contains a good mix of sand and clay, which makes it ideal for growing fruits and vegetables, first of all the delicious purple artichokes of Sant’Erasmo, SlowFood presidium.

The island is also well known for its flavourful cardoons and asparagus and for its wine. In the ancient vineyards of Sant’Erasmo, now revived, grows the Dorona di Venezia variety, native to the Venetian Lagoon. There are a number of farms on the island where you can taste and buy the local wine, as well as the other local products.

 

The best way to explore Sant’Erasmo is on a bicycle. You can hire bikes on the island and go for a ride around Sant’Erasmo. Also, kayaking and taking a boat tour are wonderful ways to explore the lagoon archipelago.

 

Two things not to miss when visiting Sant’Erasmo?

The Maximilian Tower, a 19th-century fort sometimes used for art exhibitions and events. It took the name of Maximilian, archduke of Austria, who took refuge here during the popular uprising in 1848.

In the main square of the island, the church dedicated to Christ the King holds a canvas by Tintoretto, the Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus.

 

You can get to Sant’Erasmo taking ACTV line 13, from Venice (Fondamente Nuove) or from Cavallino Treporti.