Armenian Venice

The city of Venice witnessed diplomatic, commercial, and cultural exchanges with Armenians since the Middle Ages. The old town is rich in monuments, buildings, churches, palaces, calli, and campielli that refer to the Armenian presence.

The first contact between Catholic Armenians and Venetians goes back to the dawn of the lagoon city, in the second half of the 6th century. In the centuries that followed, this relationship grew stronger, especially during the period of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, in the south of modern Turkey, which granted special privileges to Venetian merchants.

Your first stop will take place at the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, where a Mechitarist - one of an Armenian order of Roman Catholic monks - will take you on an exclusive visit to the Monastery. The cultural and spiritual activity of Armenian monks changed the island's history from the first half of the 18th Century. The museums include about 5,000 precious manuscripts in several languages, 140,000 ancient and modern volumes, an authentic 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy, and many important paintings and other unique precious items.

You will then return to Venice, and departing from the Piazza San Marco, you will reach Santa Croce degli Armeni Church near San Zulian. Here, not far from the Piazza, lays the former Armenian district. The Santa Croce degli Armeni Church is a Venetian Baroque church with three 18th century altars decorated with interesting paintings.

Book your spot on this enlightening cultural tour today.

Please Note: Transportation to San Lazzaro is not included, and costs approximately 7.5 EUR per person each way.