There are few places in my beautiful hometown and in the Venice
lagoon that are spectacular and that most of the tourists are not even aware
of.
One of them is for sure the Island of San Francesco del Deserto,
the “Island of Saint Francis of The Desert”.
This little Island is nestled between Burano and Sant’Erasmo and
houses a tranquil monastery, where only 4 monks live. The garden has 4,000
cypress trees, an idyllic monastery gardens and the medieval cloisters, that
can be visited under the guide of a monk who shepherds visitors through the
grounds and tells the story of St Francis’s arrival on the island in 1220. 
The former owner of the island In the thirteenth century was Jacopo
Michel, a Venetian nobleman. He had had built a church dedicated to St.
Francis who was the he first in Northern Italy.
Legend has it that Saint, Francis returning from the East, had
passed through here, making some miracles. He also planted his stick into the ground and
it grew into a pine tree where the birds flocked in to sing to him.
In 1233 Jacopo Michel donated the whole island to the Franciscan
friars.
The original name of this Island was “Isola delle due Vigne” “Island
of two vineyards”. The name changed in Desert Island of St. Francis in 1400
when the island remained for a few years deserted because of the unhealthiness of
the lagoon.The Monk were also pushed to abandoned the Island between 1808 and 1858, when the French and then the Austrians turned it into a military fortress.
The serenity and beauty of this place when you visit it will
leave a memory that will never leave your heart. I love this place.
The island's charm through the centuries has inspired artists
and poets.
The island is open for tourists and offers opportunity for a
historical-religious culture visit , but also to enjoy the peace and quiet that
the place offers.
The monks also offer the possibilities to pray with them, in
what they call the Orari della Fraternita’ and for those who want The Franciscan Fraternity offers also hospitality for a few days,
upon request.
Opening hours: are 9:00 to 11:00 /15.00-17.00. Closed on
Mondays. They are also closed on the
morning of September 17 (feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis) and on the
morning of 4 October (Feast of St. Francis). The tour is led by a Franciscan
and is a free offer.
From Venice With Love,
Giada
If
you want to join me on the Giada Valenti “From Venice With Love” Cruise on the
MSC Musica leaving from Venice on July 9, you can visit www.giadavalenti.com/Cruise to
register and more info. If you register before February 14th you can
make the chance to win $1000 on a cabin for two and some other prizes.
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