Visiting the Convent Garden of Redentore in Giudecca

I hope you like gardens, because in today’s and the next newsletter (which will be delivered in your inbox in less than a week!) I am planning on taking you to the discovery of some beautiful green areas of the lagoon.

Let’s start with Giudecca for now, with a visit to the garden of the Redentore Convent, restored in May 2021 by the Venice Garden Foundation. On their website you can find plenty of information regarding the history of the garden as well as on the botanical and architectural works carried out (here the link).

When I left the house the weather wasn’t really promising TBH, but… having Irish origins there was no way I was going to allow some rain to stop me. I had been to the garden the previous week with my husband, on a super sunny and hot Saturday, but unfortunately my camera’s memory card got corrupted and I lost all the material… and I have been thinking about it since, therefore… stubborn as I am, I hopped on a vaporetto and went on my mission.

When you enter, you are greeted by a very small olive grove, sided by a red stone brick path with some engravings depicting scenes from the Stations of the Cross, then a covered corridor leads you to a courtyard with a well and finally to the major gardens, where vegetables, flowers and herbs are grown, faithful to the tradition of the Hortus simplicium.

It is heavenly. The silence, the view, the colors… everything is so beautiful. Being there made my day, it literally turned a dull day into a quiet adventure. Intersecting paths, grapevine pergolas that offer shelter from rain or sun, the old buildings, once upon a time workshops, and the shy singing of the birds … well, they would cheer any soul.

A place where time stops and one can forget about the rest of the world.

I took my time and wandered around before reaching the far end, nosing among the various crops and flower beds and enjoying the view of the dome and bell tower of the Redentore Church.

I hope you won’t mind me sharing some images from my excursion…

I wish I could go there for my weekly vegetable supply!

The produce looked so juicy, imperfectly beautiful and free from any type of pesticide.

Heading towards the far end, the side facing the south lagoon, there are the renovated workshops and a lovely cafeteria, where you might want to consider stopping for a cup of coffee or a small lunch.

The perfect place to spend time with a special friend, where I have the feeling that both opening up your heart and listening will be made so much easier and meaningful.

Not to mention the soothing effect on mind and heart of the gorgeous view of the lagoon…

A must destination for gardens and flowers lovers.

Open only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, so try squeeze it in while you visit Venice because I really believe it is worth it!

Venice Garden FoundationAddress: Giudecca, 194 – 30133 VeneziaWebsite: https://venicegardensfoundation.org/en