SANT’ERASMO

Description

Essentials about Sant’Erasmo in brief

If you need a quiet break from the daily hustle and bustle of tourists in densely built-up Venice, you should take the vaporetto to Sant’Erasmo. Located to the northeast of Venice’s old town, it is the largest island in the Venetian Lagoon. The island, which is about three square meters in size, is known mainly for its vegetable cultivation, which is why Sant’Ersamo is often called the “Garden of Venice”. Venetians particularly appreciate the castraure di Sant’Erasmo, young artichokes, as well as the spareselle, the green, very thin asparagus. The best way to get to know Sant’Erasmo is to take a walk or a bike ride.

The sights of Sant’Erasmo

The only noteworthy sight of Sant’Erasmo is the Torre Massimiliano (Maximilian’s Tower), an old gun turret in brick construction from the imperial and royal period, when Venice was ruled by Austria. By means of the installed guns, enemy ships could be prevented from entering the lagoon. After years of decay, a group of investors found the tower and lavishly restored it, transforming it into a cultural and exhibition center.

At the northern tip of the island (Punta Vela) there are still remains of former fortifications and defenses, but they are slowly decaying. Some of the scattered houses are temporarily inhabited by dropouts and artists. From Sant’Erasmo, private boats take you to the island of San Francesco del Deserto, where there is a Franciscan monastery.