Armenian Venice

A particular itinerary on the traces of the Armenians in Venice.
The purpose of this itinerary is to approach the Armenian culture and ... See more

A particular itinerary on the traces of the Armenians in Venice.
The purpose of this itinerary is to approach the Armenian culture and historical presence in Venice, become stable from the 12th Century.

The city of Venice witnessed diplomatic, commercial and cultural exchanges with Armenians since the Middle Ages: sure enough the old town is rich in monuments, buildings, churches, palaces, calli, campielli that refer to the Armenian presence in the city, also confirmed by the names of some places.
Moreover, with the assignment to the Mechitarists congregation of the island of San Lazzaro (which was called "the Armenians’ island" in 1717), Venice became one of the main centers of the Armenian culture.

An Armenian-Venetian guide will lead you to two of the most important places of Armenian memory in Venice.

The first stop will be the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, to a really exclusive visit to the Monastery. The cultural and spiritual activity of Armenian monks changed the island's history from the first half of the 18th Century. The museums of this islands offer information about many cultures: about 5,000 precious manuscripts in several languages, about 140,000 ancient and modern volumes, an authentic Egyptian mummy of 2,700 years ago, important paintings and other unique precious furnishings.

After we will reach Santa Croce degli Armeni Church, near San Zulian. Here, just a not far away from the Piazza, lays the former Armenian district. In the heart of this district, you find the little Church of Santa Croce degli Armeni, a Venetian Baroque church with three 18th Century altars decorated with interesting paintings: among the subject, San Gregorio Armeno, “the Illuminator”, the one who converted the Armenians to Christianity in 301 AD.

• San Lazzaro degli Armeni
• Chiesa di Santa Croce degli Armeni

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