The Garden of the former ‘Zitelle' Convent in Giudecca

On the peaceful island of Giudecca there were some monasteries, including that of the so-called 'Zitelle' (spinters).

The construction of the St. Mary of the Presentation church, with an adjacent convent, occurred in 1570 by the famous architect Andrea Palladio. From the beginning it housed poor orphan young women (spinsters), who lived and worked here, and not having a dowry, could not marry.

After years of neglect, the convent of Palladio has become an exclusive luxury hotel. If today spinsters stay at the hotel certainly they have not remained so for the lack of a dowry!

Behind this complex dating back to the 1500s there are beautiful gardens, recently restored trying to recreate the appearance of these places in the past, thanks to the study of ancient plants and descriptions. Brick fences have been built that surround small plots, which are always oriented north-south to better enjoy the sun. 
Being a Renaissance garden, the spaces are strictly geometric and divided into small plots creating a play of perspectives of different depths without forgetting the eastern origins of the city. We know from sources that all the gardens of Venice had an 'Oriental carpet', that is, an expanse of flowers (in this case anemones tulips, daffodils and crocuses), that are typical of fairytale gardens as described in the ‘One Thousand and One Nights'.

If you also want to include in your visit to Venice the beautiful island of Giudecca, where, among other things, there is also the famous Church of the Redeemer, contact us to check the availability of Francesca and she will organize a personalized itinerary tour for you!