San Servolo Island, Venice
San Servolo
Venice, Italy
Exhibitions, University and the Museum of Madness
About
The island previously housed a monastery of benedictinian monks, later an asylum for the insane.
The island is now home to a museum, Venice International University and the prestigious International College of Ca’ Foscari University
History
Benedictine monks lived on this island from at least the eighth century. By the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Senate of the Republic of Venice designated San Servolo as the site of a new military hospital, needed due to the continuing war against the Turks. Later the hospital was used to care for the mentally ill.
In 1978, reforms of psychiatric treatment resulted in the closure of the hospital. Venice International University was formed on San Servolo in 1995.
Also noteworthy is the rich flora of San Servolo, originally planted for the island’s pharmacy, which was used to supply medicine to the military.
Recently, San Servolo has started hosting an annual international artist residency and has become the site for numerous exhibitions, festivals and performances
Museum of Madness
The small museum houses an exhibition charting the history of mental illness care over the past three centuries in Venice. You will see chains, handcuffs and straitjackets – used to contain the mentally ill in the 19th century – and also instruments used to cure mental illnesses, such as electroshock machines, or examples of music therapy, which was tried for the first time at San Servolo by Cesare Vigna, the director of the psychiatric hospital and also a close friend of the composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Visiting
The San Servolo Asylum Museum is open from Monday to Friday with a visit at 11.30 am and one at 2.45 pm (vaporetto line 20 at 11.10 am and 2.30 pm).
Closed: national holidays and November 21st
PRICE
Museum €7 full, €5 reduced
For further information view the San Servolo website
Information
WATER BUS STOP
San Servolo (ACTV Line 20)
SAN SERVOLO LOCATION
VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS ACCOMODATION
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VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS MAP
With Place Markers
LAGOON ISLAND AND VENICE TOURS & ACTIVITIES
From Get Your Guide
Murano & Burano Islands Boat Tour
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Private Boat Tour
Guided Tour of Burano Island
Grand Canal, Murano and Burano Half-Day Boat Tour
Murano: Glass Lampwork Workshop and Walking Tour
Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan
Private Yacht Tour and Glass Blowing Demonstration
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Vaporetto Guided Tour
San Michele Cemetery Island Vaporetto & Walking Tour
Giudecca Island Discover Walking Tour
Catamaran Sunset Jazz Cruise with Aperitivo
5-Kilometer Sunset Kayaking Class with Gear
All ratings November 2023. E&EO. Images are indicative of the activity but may not be of the tour.
San Marco Attractions
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St Mark’s Square
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Doge’s Palace
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Natural History Museum
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Ca D’oro
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Rialto Bridge
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Aqua Alta Bookshop
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Ca’ Rezzonico
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Murano
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Lido Di Venezia
Mazzorbo
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Lazzaretto Nuovo
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