A journey through the garden of Venice and the New Lazaretto

Saint Erasmus for centuries has been considered the garden of Venice, where Venetians produced delicious fruits and vegetables due to the particularity of the land, partly sandy and partly chalky. The island is inhabited by about a thousand people for the most part devoted to agriculture, it is the perfect place for a nice picnic, especially cycling. Remember that St. Erasmus is the only island of the north lagoon where passing cars. The island is a strip of land: the road overlooking the lagoon is called Via delle Motte, the one that overlooks the sea is via dei Forti.

S. Erasmo is reachable from Venice (Fondamente Nuove ) with the vaporetto ACTV line 13 : the stops are Murano Faro, Vignole, Sant’Erasmo Capannone, Sant’Erasmo Chiesa, Sant’Erasmo Punta Vela e Treporti.

After landing you can eat in the restaurant dining room at Da Tedeschi (041.5203346) , located a few meters from Maximilian Tower and a few steps from the beach. If you want to eat and sleep the only place where you can do this is the holiday home “Il lato azzurro”, a villa surrounded by a large garden where you can also rent a bike and kayak tours . For information www.latoazzurro.it , info@latoazzurro.it , telephone 041.5230642 . The holiday house is arranged every Saturday and Sunday. Bicichetti , namely the island excursions by bike for couples, families and groups of friends: two-hour cost 15 euro for the bike hire more cicchetti and mixed wine. In summer, however, kiosks El Bunker and Maremoto are open . The alternative is to go down Vignole – the island formerly called the seven vines, one of the favorite holiday destinations by the inhabitants of Altino – and eat in Trattoria alle Vignole (open from Tuesday to Sunday , from 10 to 22, closed on Mondays) . For information vignole@gmail.com , telephone 041.5289707.

A St. Erasmo you can also visit Maximillian Tower , circular in shape , built by the Austrians between 1843 and 1844, open at weekends with free access and continued from 11 to 6pm.

In May and October in St. Erasmus two festivals very beautiful are organized: the Artichoke violet (www.carciofosanterasmo.it) and that of Mosto , the nectar that is derived from the crushing of grapes . During the two festivals are exposed all the products of the island , including the excellent honey that is produced here, but generally you can also eat ribs and grilled polenta cooked at the time. For kids, games and music . In short, a feast for the whole family.

After the picnic at St. Erasmus you can embark again , but only for a distance of a few minutes, to land the island of New Lazaretto. The waterbus is the same, line 13, but remember: all races make the stop only by request of passengers.

The guided tours to New Lazaretto take place on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October , at 9.45 am and at 4.30 pm ( in correspondence with the vaporetto ACTV : from Venice – New Fondamente at 9.25 and at 4.05pm , from Treporti at 9.25 and at 3.25pm ) . In other days and other times for groups by reservation on the phone 041.2444011 or email to info@lazzarettonuovo.com .

Archaeological found evidence of human presence on the island since the Bronze Age . In 1468 it became a Lazaretto for the prevention of infections , and was called Lazzereto vecchio (the old) to distinguish it from the Novo (new) existing close to the Lido . The island then became a place of ” default “, quarantine for ships arriving from the ports of the Mediterranean, suspected of bringing the plague . During the Napoleonic rule and under the Austrian was instead used for military purposes .

The island, in granting voluntary association Ekos Club that here also organizes summer camps in collaboration with archaeologists in Italy, is worth a visit for its monumental buildings, including the Tezon Grande, which still retains many written and original drawings, seals and symbols , names of doges and sailors of the ‘500. Moreover, it is of great interest for its laurel, ash, hawthorn, blackthorn , marsh-reeds and the small canal where you can watch fish and shellfish.

A tip : take the tour patrol system used by militaries and enjoy a 360 degree view of Venice.