圣拉扎罗岛

I hadn't been to this island in over 25 years and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it is still one of the nicest places to visit while in Venice. When we went there (March 2015) there was only a public visit scheduled (my guess is that there are more in the summertime), we got on the line 20 water bus from St. Zaccaria and reached the island in about 10 minutes. Once you arrive on the island you can proceed to the cloister, where you can purchase your ticket for the visit (6 euros per adult), the tour guide was very knowledgeable and nice and explained everything both in Italian and English. We started off with the church, we then moved to refectory and finished off with the museum and library. I was impressed by the amount of interesting items that the Mechitarist religious order has acquired since they founded their monastery on the island. The location itself is worth a visit: the place is so peaceful and well kept that you really don't feel like living!

I was a guest. The Armenians have made this Island their own. they arrived in Venice centuries ago, Byron wa there (he appears to have been everywhere in Italy) and allegedly learnt armenian in 6 months!. there is a sense of peace in this lovely little Island on the lagoon, only 10 minutes by boat from St Mark's square. Well worth it.

This island is a must if you are staying for a week or more or are staying for a multiple time. You will be greeted by an Armenian monk who will be able to speak a number of languages fluently. Just a 15 minute vaporetto ride from the main front near San Marco you will see an island of great treasures, including a library of the most precious books. The church is quite exquisite and leaving this tranquil place will be wonderful memories. Photography most welcome. Get those shots to enhance your memories. Check at your hotel the vaporetto number and times because they are limited.

Ensure timings of guided tours coincide with your visit as the Armenian church and buildings contain many fascinating objects. Many photogenic interior and exterior shots.

The island, the monastery and learning about the culture and history of Armenian people is fascinating. The resident monks did a great job with the tour and offer the tour in several languages. Very easy to get to by Vaporetti (water bus) from main island. Besides the large collection of Armenian manuscripts and artifacts, the monastery holds ancient artifacts such as Egyptian mummy and more. It is a great place for everyone to visit but especially for folks with Armenian backgrounds, it is a must!

To visit the monastery, which is situated on its own island in the Venetian lagoon, one needs to take the 3:10 p.m. vaporetto #20 from San Marco. There is only one tour of the monastery every day, at 3:25 p.m., which starts once the vaporetto has deposited all the passengers. The tour ends in time for visitors to catch the 5:25 p.m. vaporetto back to San Marco.The energetic guide repeated her explanations in both Italian and English, which made the tour a bit longer than it could otherwise have been, but with the benefit that it was accessible to all who were there. The monastery is quite, peaceful, and well tended. The tour took us through the courtyard, the church, the dining hall, the museum, and the library. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the place and the Armenian people, be surprised by original art by Aivazovsky (who visited the place in 1840), and learn about Lord Byron’s connection to the monastery. Highly recommended!

Absolutely stunning and the monks who give you a tour are wonderful.Armenian Monastery by a young lady, who took the Italian and English speaking guests on a tour of the Monastery, showing us their amazing collection of art and artefacts well worth a visit for an afternoon if you have an interest in history, I would go back in a heartbeat.

Venice is beautiful but this island is 100 times better! definitely a must see for anyone visiting Italy. The island is absolutely stunning and the monks who give you a tour are wonderful. I would go back in a heartbeat.

we have wanted to go to the island of san Lazzaro for ages. You take a water bus from St. Marco/Zaccaria at 1510, and number 20. We were greeted at the Armenian Monastery by a young lady, who took the Italian and English speaking guests on a tour of the Monastery, showing us their amazing collection of art and artefacts, and showing us the refectory, the church and the library. She was extremely good in explaining everything to us. I knew nothing about Armenia, and found it very interesting. After the tour, there was free time to spend in the garden or cloisters, where there are pictures of Armenia. The bus back goes at about 1725 - well worth a visit for an afternoon if you have an interest in history, or printing. Some of the oldest books on show

Beautiful place. Worth to see. You will be surprised how much interesting thing you will learn in the museum or from the guides.

Not easy to reach, i suggest this little trip for person with a poetical attitude, for persons that want to skip into the past for a moment, for persons that love peace and nature. I think it s magical, but perhaps for many could be too little crowded and Disneyland...

Had a lovely 2 hour tour of this enchanting place with very unique and rare artifacts and paintings. A short 15 minute boat ride away and well worth the visit. The guides were really knowledgeable and at times quite funny!The Egyptian mummy and the Ayvazovsky paintings are jaw dropping!

Went here while staying in Venice. Get the boat along the canal in San Marco trip takes about twenty minutes. Then you wait to be let in by the monks. Tour is six euros and starts at 3:35. Only one a day. Very interesting. The tour is done in different languages. We had a monk that did French,English and Italian . The other monk would have done other languages. You go in the church,museum and library. Takes about one and a half hours. Then there is a little shop where I bought a jar of rose marmalade made there. If you get there a little early like we did you can walk around the garden or sit on a bench and relax. We spent a very pleasant afternoon there. Worth going if you have the time.

Well informed, multi-lingual friendly guide. I liked the ancient artifacts and Armenian manuscripts.

Taking the boat no. 20 from San Marco Zaccaria at 3:10 p,m, (the only available for visits), after a few minutes you reach this island rich in history and culture, where an efficient tourist guide shows you all the beauties of the monastery. Wonderful garden where you can see several species of roses. Monks produce a delighful Rose Marmalade (to be bought at the local shop)