Convent of the Discalced Carmelites: Venice's mystical garden
The history of the mystical garden of the
Convent of the Discalced Carmelites goes back a long way. The friars have
always had a vegetable garden close to their convent where, together with the
products used for their meals, they also used to grow medicinal herbs, including
the famous lemon balm. In 2015, a major, complex, sophisticated restoration
project was completed according to a precise, spiritual design. Today, it
can be seen in all its beauty and is well worth a visit!
The Convent hides a mystical, fragrant
garden, divided into seven different areas. Each zone is closely linked to spirituality
and to the mystical path taken by Saint Teresa of Avila, who is said to have
reformed the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. The garden was redesigned based
on her writings: more specifically on her theological work The Interior
Castle, in which the Saint describes the path taken by the soul as it comes
out of the shadows and takes the seven steps towards God.
The seven flowerbeds in the mystical garden
Each of the seven flowerbeds of the Convent's
mystical garden evokes a topic close to the spiritual heart of Saint Teresa of
Avila. The path begins with the wood that represents darkness and
invites us to enter the interior castle of our own existence. Then comes the olive
grove that recalls Jesus' friendship with his apostles, the orchard
that represents the earth's generosity, the vineyard that recalls the
wine for the Eucharist, the vegetable garden with all its produce that
expresses the synergy between man and nature, the medicinal herbs
representing the purification of the body to reach God and lastly the meadow,
associated with the fullness of life and the final vision of God.
The plants and herbs grown here also include the
vine in the vineyard - currently in production – at the request of the
Consorzio Vini Venezia [Wine Consortium of Venice] that introduced many grape
cultivars here.
To visit the mystical garden > https://www.giardinomistico.it/blog/
ph. venetosecrets.com
The legendary lemon balm water
The story of the lemon balm water actually began
in 1710 in the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Venice. It consists of four
pure essential oils: cedar, cloves, cinnamon and Moldavian lemon balm,
dissolved in a solution of water and alcohol. It is used for its therapeutic, calming,
digestive properties and is added to a large number of preparations.
The Discalced Carmelites of Venice had the
exclusive privilege of producing and selling lemon balm water. Nowadays, you
can still buy it at the shop next to the Convent, where you'll also find other
herbal products.
We look forward to welcoming you to Venice!
Locanda Ca' Lucrezia stands next to
the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites and some of our rooms overlook the
wonderful Mystical Garden. We look forward to welcoming you to our tiny
hotel.
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