Sant'Erasmo is an

island An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An isla ...

in the Venetian Lagoon lying north-east of the Lido island and east of

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...

, Italy.

History

The island was a

port A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as H ...

attached to

Murano Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. It lies about north of Venice and measures about across with a population of just over 5,000 (2004 figures). It is famous for its glass making. It was on ...

in the 8th century, but is now known for market gardening. Ruined fortifications, including the so-called ''Torre Massimiliana'' (Tower of Maximilian), ring the isle. Forts existed in the island as early as the 16th century. After the fall of the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia ...

, the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

built here a stronghold in 1811–1814. After Napoleon's defeat, the

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...

Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este Archduke Maximilian Joseph of Austria-Este (July 14, 1782 – June 1, 1863), the fourth son of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este and younger brother of Francis IV, Duke of Modena. He was grand master of the Teutonic Knights from 1835 to 1863. ...

had a tower built here in 1843–1844, and also found here refuge during a revolt. The tower has a polygonal base of 25 m and is surrounded by a ditch. On the upper floor up to 13 cannons could be housed. It was used by the Italian Army as late as World War I.

Today

An annual boat race takes place during the summer. Sant'Erasmo is also known for the

wader 245px, A flock of Dunlins and Red knots">Red_knot.html" ;"title="Dunlins and Red knot">Dunlins and Red knots Waders or shorebirds are birds of the order Charadriiformes commonly found wikt:wade#Etymology 1, wading along shorelines and mudflat ...

s on sand banks in the lagoon surrounding it. The beach on the island's Southernmost point, the

Spiaggia del Bacan The Bacan Beach ("spiaggia del bacan") is a beach that stretches out on the island of Sant'Erasmo, on the Northern Venetian Lagoon. It is a popular summer destination for local Venetians and can be reached only by vaporetto The vaporetto is a ...

, is a popular summer destination with local Venetians. The island is accessed on

Actv Actv S.p.A. (Azienda del Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano) is a public company responsible for public transportation in Venice and Chioggia municipalities and for interurban bus services in province of Venice. ACTV is not responsible for Venice Pe ...

waterbus line 13 ( Fondamente Nove-

Vignole Vignole (also Le Vignole) is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy, with a surface of some 69.20 ha. It is located north-east of Venice, between the islands of Sant'Erasmo and La Certosa. Location Vignole is actually made up of two ...

-Lazzaretto Nuovo-Sant'Erasmo-

Treporti Cavallino-Treporti is a town and '' comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy. The commune occupies a peninsula (''litorale del Cavallino'') which divides the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. The river Sile fo ...

) and is also served by a night service.

Gallery

Venise église de San Erasmo.JPG, Church Isola di Sant'Erasmo - Torre Massimiliana.JPG, Fort Sant'Erasmo (island) Via delle Motte 45.458036, 12.407726.jpg, Brown and narrow canals of the island Sant'Erasmo (island) Via delle Motte 45.455718, 12.402925.jpg, Artichoke plantations. Sant'Erasmo (island) South end of the island.jpg, Beach, south end of the island of Sant'Erasmo.

References

{{Authority control Forts in Italy Islands of the Venetian Lagoon

History

Today

Gallery

See also

References