Visit to the Garden of the Redentore

Next to the majestic Church of the Redentore on the island of Giudecca lies a remarkable and long-hidden place: the great monastic garden once tended by the Capuchin friars. For centuries, this vast green space, enclosed by high walls and silence, remained inaccessible to the public, preserving within it a precious balance of nature, spirituality, and humble labor.

The Capuchin friars, who have always inhabited the convent adjoining the church, cared for this garden with devotion and simplicity. Among the beds of aromatic herbs, fruit trees, and seasonal vegetables, they found a space for meditation and prayer, but also for service and charity. The harvest from the garden was often shared with the city’s poor, in keeping with the spirit of humility and generosity that has always characterized the Capuchin order.

Over the centuries, however, the garden suffered periods of neglect and decay. High tides and flooding — especially the exceptional acqua alta of 2019 — caused serious damage, submerging the entire area and destroying much of the soil and vegetation. Extensive restoration work was required, lasting several years, to bring the garden back to its former beauty and vitality.

Today, thanks to the dedication of the friars and the support of local institutions and volunteers, the Garden of the Redentore has come back to life. Visitors can finally enter and discover a corner of Venice where time seems to stand still — a place of peace and quiet, where nature, art, and faith exist in perfect harmony. Walking among the rows of plants and herbs, one can still sense the silent presence of the friars, who for centuries have cultivated not only the land, but also the spirit.