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What to see in Venice: Giardino Mistico dei Carmelitani Scalzi

A green treasure chest in Venice

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The Bridge of Sighs, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, the Punta della Dogana, La Fenice theatre, St Mark's Square. The list of attractions in Venice is as long as it is well-known. There are also corners, meanders, and charms off the beaten tourist track that deserve to be discovered.

One of these is the Mystical Garden of the Convent of the Barefoot Carmelite Fathers, the largest in the city, renovated in 2015 by architect Giorgio Forti. The church of S. Maria di Nazareth, called degli Scalzi and founded in 1754, is located at the entrance to the city, next to the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station. And the Mistico garden is an oasis of respite offered to all, hidden within the walls of an ancient convent. A green treasure chest safeguarding biodiversity where all the flower essences typical of the Venetian habitat have been chosen and recovered.

 
 
 
 
 
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Un post condiviso da Enrico Saravalle (@enricosaravalle)

The garden also contains vines from the fruit of which an authentically Venetian wine is made, a reminder of how, some two hundred years ago, there were as many as 300 hectares of vineyards on the islands of the Lagoon. The vegetable garden is structured in a circular path marked by seven stages with as many flowerbeds. And the fourth stage is the vineyard, created by recovering 17 ancient native vines, including Dorona and Malvasia. From the archaic knowledge of plants and essences, an elixir is also obtained, a secret mix of medicinal remedies based on Melissa Moldavica.

 
 
 
 
 
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Un post condiviso da VIACOLBENTO (@matissetomas)

Seven flowerbeds, fourteen partitions and eight walkable paths. The entire structure of the garden recalls the sacred numerical symbolism: the seven stages are those that the faithful walk through in order to achieve spiritual salvation. Ordinary tourists and curious travellers who choose to take a momentary break from the chaos of the city can simply enjoy the meadow, the herb garden, the friars' garden, the vineyard, the orchard, the olive grove and finally the forest.

While the church can be visited free of charge and independently, access to the garden is only possible in groups and with a guide.

Image Giardino Mistico dei Carmelitani Scalzi