An island on the Venetian lagoon that hosts an Armenian Catholic monastery, headquarters of the Mechitarist order. The monastery is one of the world’s most resourceful centres of Armenian culture. Originally, there was a leper colony here (the name derives from St. Lazarus, patron saint of lepers). In the 18th century, Armenian monks restored the buildings, founded a printing press and established an excellent library. The 170,000 collections have volumes dating as far back as the 6th century. Mystical and sinister in atmosphere, it’s rumoured that some books here are bound in human skin. When you visit, a resident monk will show you around the place. The gardens surrounding the monastery are beautiful.

Also, visit nearby attractions which are covered in Venice itinerary 5 days.

• Be resprectful, quiet, and conservatively dressed.

• Guided tour starts at 3:25pm, once a day.

• Waterbus line 20 from San Marco stop San Lazzaro Ferry Terminal.

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