Venice is much more than what it is actually known for. It is an archipelago with marvelous islands to discover. Like the popular ones from Murano, Burano, and Torcello, or the very close ones but often times overlooked San Giorgio and Giudecca islands.
There are many minor islands – excluding the islands occupied by invasive five star hotels – that are incredible and worth seeing because they are Venice in a different light for those who choose to visit with a slow spirit.
We’ve already gone over San Servolo and San Lazzaro degli Armeni, two marvelous and unforgettable islands of the lagoon. So if you love open spaces, then you can’t pass up visiting the island of Certosa.
Where is it?
This beautiful island is found right behind the “tail”of the city, close to Sant’Elena and San Pietro di Castello. At the same time the Certosa Island is separated by a canal of the Vignole and Sant’Andrea. Facing the eastern side not very far from San Nicolo in Lido, just before reaching the bocca di porto that connects to the Adriatic Sea.
The History
It has a millennium history, like many other islands in the lagoon. On the island lived friars – certosini friars- before the island was converted for other functions, the last being a deposit for ammunition and powder during the war in 900.
Why visit?
Today the island is lively and green. It has a dockside for boats, a small hotel and restaurant, but above all it is a beautiful and neat urban park. In part still wild and unkempt, making it a perfect place to find tranquility just a few meters from Venice. Priceless is the unusual yet beautiful view of the lagoon.
How to get there
Getting to the Certosa is simple with public transportation. If you are coming from Sant’Elena or from the Fondamente Nuove, lines (4.1 and 4.2) can stop on the island, make sure to explicitly ask a crew member onboard to double check. There is also a free ferry you can call from the Sant’Elena waterbus stop. (info here)