San Francesco del Deserto

The island of San Francesco del Deserto, located north of Venice, between the islands of Burano and Erasmo may be referred to as one of the most beautiful islands in the lagoon of Venice.

Geography

The island is 300 meters long and up to almost 170 feet wide, and up to a meter high. The surface area is 3.68 hectares ( 36832 square meters). The island pointed to the census in 2001 to nine residents, including eight male (monastery).

History

Originally the island was part of a landscape on the type of Barena. Archaeological traces rich may date back to the 1st century. In the 4th century, the island was inhabited continuously from the 5th century. At this time, the island prospered, and so they were not ready to abandon the island when the sea level rose. Therefore, some banks were secured by means of parallel rows of palisades. The gaps are filled with rubble, Amphorenbruckstücken and bricks. 280 cm below the present ground level were found remains of pottery and parts of a boat, which could be dated to the period 425-550. During this time, superimposed amplified from sediments, sea levels rose at the same time - a trend that was seen in the entire lagoon. End of the 6th century, so they took a long time, had the inhabitants the island, despite all efforts to give up. It was found, however, that the island was inhabited until at least 650. Until then, the island was in a long-distance trade in wine and other goods from the entire eastern Mediterranean. Amphorenfunde also show that until the beginning of the 7th century goods from North Africa arrived. Around three quarters of shards, however, coming from the Aegean and Asia Minor.

Called the High Middle Ages Isole delle Vigne due, she was chosen according to the legend of the 1220 who returned from Egypt and Palestine preacher Francis of Assisi because of its quiet location and the opportunity to lead a life of peace and humility here as a residence. In March 1233 the Franciscan Order now incurred the island of Jacopo Michiel has been paid. He belonged to the Dogenfamilie and was related through his wife with the Patriarch of Grado, Angelo Barozzi. Where the Saints had built his first humble abode (now the island of San Francesco was called ), and where already was one of the two churches, the Order of Franciscan Minori built ( Friars Minor ) a monastery. This was abandoned in 1420 because the climatic conditions had deteriorated such that a continued presence on the island was impossible. For over 30 years the island was uninhabited. The devastation and emptiness on the island you finally gave its present name of San Francesco del Deserto.

1453 received the Frati Minori Osservanti awarded the island of Pope Pius II. The monks renovated the church and the convent, and they built the Renaissance monastery. Pope Clement VIII on appropriated the monastery and the island of the Frati Minori Riformati in 1594. You brought cypress trees on the island and renovated the refectory.

1797, the Republic of Venice was abolished by Napoleon, French soldiers ransacked the island and plundered many art treasures. 1806, the monastery was, like all monasteries dissolved, the monks left the island. After half a century in which the deserted island was used as a powder magazine, the Franciscans returned on December 23, 1856, on the request of the Austrians back, who gave the island to the Patriarchate of Venice. On 31 May 1858, the Franciscans returned to the island.

The cypress trees hervorlugende monastery ruins houses two cloisters and is often visited by tourists looking to San Francesco del Deserto peace, tranquility and warm hospitality. However the island was her only accessible by private boats from Burano or Erasmo.