Convento dei Carmelitani Scalzi in Venice: a 'divine' discovery in the garden
There is a tiny treasure chest near Santa Lucia Station in Venice. It is the fascinating Convent of the Barefoot Carmelite Fathers of Venice. The order arrived in the lagoon city from Milan in 1630, the year in which the construction of the monastery began. At the time, it also stretched as far as a part of what is now the train station. Among its other beauties, the Convent hides a mystical garden within its walls, consisting of seven different zones and surrounded by natural arcades that support a vine trained to form a "Venetian pergola", one of the oldest in Venice dating back to 1649. As a result of this special feature, this year the garden hosted the seventh edition (6 and 7 July 2024) of the oenological event Feel Venice, organised by the consortium, Consorzio Vini Venezia.
The event has always proved popular with experts and aficionados and is dedicated to the Venetian oenological heritage and to its traditional wines belonging to the Consortium's five appellations: DOC Piave, DOC Lison-Pramaggiore, DOC Venezia, DOCG Malanotte del Piave and DOCG Lison.
The wine and mystical garden of the Barefoot Carmelite Fathers in Venice
Taking centre stage at the Convent not only during Feel Venice is the old garden that has remained mostly unchanged. Each zone has a symbolic meaning linked to the faith and path taken to achieve spiritual salvation by Saint Teresa d'Avila. Not by chance, the first zone along this path is a wild forest. However, let's turn to the link with "the world of wine": the fourth zone contains a wonderful vineyard with 17 rows, in which 17 varieties have been planted, almost all of which are linked to the local wine production of the lagoon. In 2010, the Consorzio Vini Venezia created a pioneering space for an experimental vine, with two main objectives: to return to the Fathers' wine-making tradition (as regards planting and self-support) and to recover a part of the area's lost biodiversity. In fact, wine growing was one of the most prosperous trades of the Serenissima Republic of Venice from the time it was founded. Among the main varieties in the garden you can find Malvasia, Dorona and Raboso Piave, a very popular wine during the period of the Serenissima Republic as it was able to resist long sea voyages.
The "mystic" wine of the Giardino degli Scalzi in Venice is truly wonderful for wine enthusiasts and others to discover. The wines and all the other products of the Convent can be purchased at the shop next to the Convent.
We look forward to seeing you in Venice!
Locanda Ca’ Lucrezia is a stone’s throw from Santa Lucia train station. We will be happy to welcome you to our tiny hotel. Your tourist tax will exempt you from the day-tripper access fee.
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