Venice islands: Santo Erasmo

Sant' Erasmo island is located close to the island of Burano and is accessible by public transportation: vaporetto Line No. 13, departs from Fondamente Nove and takes around 30 minutes to arrive on Sant'Erasmo (Check on www.actv.it for full details).

This island was known as "Isola Alba" (Island of Dawn) because it appeared like a light-coloured spot with sand dunes and later as "Lido della Mercede" (Payment Shore) because it faced the open sea and controlled the main port of Venice.

In the 8th century the island was a port, but is now known for market gardening.
The recently restored Maximillian tower (dating back to 1800s) dominates the little beach where Venetians traditionally go for an outing and to swim. The tower was named after Archduke Maximillian who sought refuge in the tower in 1848, after the insurrection of Daniele Manin.

Sant'Erasmo, with Mazzorbo, is the Venice's vegetable garden. The islands are cultivated with vineyards and vegetables, which supply the Rialto market with tasty early vegetables.
Very famous are the artichokes and the sweet and tender castraure (the artichoke plant's first buds), an exceptional delicacy that you can taste on restaurant menus in Venice.

Don't miss: the Fiesta of the pressing of the new wine (italian Sagra del Mosto), the first weekend of october.

 

Visit all the islands of Venice...