One of the most unknown gardens in Venice is the Scalzi Garden, a garden hidden within the walls of a former convent just a few steps from the Santa Lucia train station.
Next to the church of the Discalced Carmelite Order, dedicated to Saint Mary of Nazareth, is this convent garden dating from the mid-17th century, which still retains the typical appearance of traditional monastic gardens.
The Mystic Garden: A Spiritual Journey
This former garden houses the Mystic Garden, a spiritual garden whose restoration included floral essences with profound symbolic and religious value.
The garden is inspired by the mystical writings of Saint Teresa, founder of the Carmelite Order. The 5,000 square meters of the garden are divided into seven spaces, corresponding to the stages of the soul's journey to God: the green lawn, the medicinal herb garden, the orchard, the vineyard, the garden of lost flavors, the Garden of Gethsemane with its olive trees, and the woods.
Melissa is still cultivated in the medicinal herb garden, a plant from which the Carmelite priests obtain a preparation known as Melissa Water, with digestive and therapeutic properties.
One of the treasures of this garden is the vineyard, planted by the Consorzio Vini Venezia, composed of ancient native varieties, a true treasure for safeguarding viticultural biodiversity.
Visit of the Scalzi Garden
The garden is open from April to October for guided tours by reservation. Every day except Sunday, you can also visit the shop, which offers a selection of herbal products linked to the garden's traditions.
- Address: Cannaregio 54, Fondamenta Santa Lucia 30121 Venice
- Phone: +39 348 7728430
- Email:
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Location of the Scalzi Convent Garden