Dear readers,

Today, I will take you to explore two of the most enigmatic and lesser-known islands of the Venetian lagoon: San Michele and Sant’Erasmo. These islands offer a different view of Venice, away from the usual tourist paths, steeped in rich stories and unique landscapes.

San Michele, also known as the island of the dead, has been Venice’s cemetery for centuries. This tranquil island serves as the eternal resting place for many illustrious Venetians, including the famous composer Igor Stravinsky and the poet Ezra Pound. Walking among its monumental tombs and well-kept gardens offers a silent reflection on Venetian history and culture, told through its illustrious deceased.

Moving on, Sant’Erasmo, often called the garden of Venice, is predominantly an agricultural island, known for its fertile soils making it the main supplier of vegetables and fruit for the city. Here, the landscapes shift from the usual waterways to expansive fields and greenhouses, offering an unusual and rural view of Venice. The island is particularly famous for its purple artichokes, a local delicacy celebrated with an annual festival that attracts both locals and gourmets.

Exploring San Michele and Sant’Erasmo reveals aspects of Venice that remain hidden to most visitors: the quiet and respect for memory on one island, and the vitality and abundance of fresh produce on the other. These islands offer not only natural and historical beauties but also moments of introspection and connection with a more authentic and less visible Venice.

I invite you to visit these islands the next time you seek a different Venice, one that speaks through the quiet of its cemeteries and the vibrancy of its fields.

Until our next exploration