San Francesco del Deserto

The island was frequented since Roman times. In 1220, St. Francis landed here at his return from the Holy Land during the Fifth Crusade, and founded a hermitage here. After his death, the island was donated to the Minorites by the Venetian patrician Jacopo Michiel, , to found a convent.
During the Austrian rule of Venice the island, abandoned due to its unhealthy characteristics, was used a powder depot. In 1858 it was donated to the diocese of Venice, who allowed the friars to refound a convent here.
An unique oasis of peace and meditation
Open tue-sun from 09.00 am to 11.00 am and 03.00 pm to 05.00 pm. Closed on Monday.