San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Lazzaro degli Armeni, Veneto, 30100
Long connected to monastic orders and once home to a leper colony, the tiny, diamond-shaped island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni is most famous for its Armenian Catholic monastery. Home to monks of the Mekhitarist Order, San Lazzaro is a center for Armenian culture and boasts one of the world’s largest collections of Armenian manuscripts. Around the monastery, rose gardens offer views of the nearby Lido island.
The Basics
A peaceful escape from bustling Venice, San Lazzaro is a popular day trip destination and features a church, bell tower, library, Armenian and Oriental museums, printing plant, gardens, and residential quarters. Tour the monastery grounds and explore a collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt and India, including a well-preserved mummy of an Egyptian priest and a 15th-century Indian throne.
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is most often visited via boat tours of the Venetian Islands. Private and small-group boat tours of the Venetian Lagoon may also pass by the small islands of San Clemente and San Servolo, and the larger islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Things to Know Before You Go
Since the monastery is still an active place of worship, you can only explore on a guided tour. These are offered once daily in a variety of languages.
Tours are run by a monk of the Mekhitarist Order.
The onsite gift shop sells island-made rose petal jam, which makes for a great souvenir.
How to Get There
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is located just west of the island of Lido, 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) southeast of Venice. The easiest way to reach San Lazzaro degli Armeni is on a guided boat tour of the Venetian Lagoon, or via vaporetto (water bus) Line 20 from the San Zaccaria Pier near St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
When to Get There
Guided tours of the Mekhitarist monastery of San Lazzaro run just once a day at 3:25pm. Reservations are not required for the tour, but it is recommended to check tour times in advance. San Lazzaro degli Armeni is less visited than the more popular islands of Lido, Burano, and Murano so it is the perfect spot to escape crowds at any time of year.
The Mekhitarist Monastery of San Lazzaro
Following invasion by the Ottoman empire, several Armenian Catholic monks fled to Venice in 1715 and were gifted the island of San Lazzaro from the Venetian Senate in 1717. The Mekhitarist Order then began a multilingual printing press, translating various literary works and medieval transcripts into Armenian.
Ways to explore
A peaceful escape from bustling Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni is a lesser-known day trip destination that features a church, bell tower, and museums within its monastery, as well as lovely surrounding gardens. Tour the monastery grounds and explore a collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt and India within its Lord Byron Room, including a well-preserved mummy of an Egyptian priest and a 15th-century Indian throne. Private and small-group boat tours of the Venetian Lagoon often visit San Lazzaro, together with other small islands such as San Servolo and San Giorgio Maggiore.
Accessibility
The historical monastery is only partially accessible inside, with steps and stairs limiting access to visitors using wheelchairs beyond the inner cloister.
Age limits
All ages are welcome, although the monastery doesn’t have much to entertain young children.
What to pack
Coins (for donations), camera, water bottle
What to wear
This is still an active island monastery, so visitors need to dress modestly out of respect.
Not allowed
Visitors are not permitted inside without taking a guided tour.
Amenities
The monastery has a small gift shop where visitors can buy rose petal jam made on the island.
Address
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is located west of the island of Lido, 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) southeast of Venice. It’s easiest to visit on a guided boat tour of the lagoon; there is also a vaporetto (water bus) route.
Driving
Leave your car parked in a lot or garage on the mainland or near the Venice cruise terminal, and then continue by vaporetto from Piazzale Roma or book a water taxi.
Public transportation
Take the vaporetto Line 20 from the San Zaccaria Pier near St. Mark’s Square in Venice or from the Lido S.M.E. pier.
Best times to visit
Guided tours taking you inside the monastery of San Lazzaro run just once a day, typically at 3:25pm; however, group visits can be reserved for other times.
Best days to visit
Attractions on the island are open daily, and which day of the week you go shouldn’t matter much.
Best months to visit
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is less visited than the islands of Lido, Burano, and Murano, so you can escape crowds here at any time of year.
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