our story
fragrant GARDENS, slow LIFE, and the mythical recipes of VENICE.
It all began with our garden blog, 10 years ago. And the story of one special garden in Venice ..
Grandmother's garden must be a very special place on earth. Located in the ancient heart of Venice, in an area so much older than Piazza San Marco. Here, the first monastery in Venice was built, on an archipelago called Ombriola, consisting of one main island and eight smaller ones.
On the large island, a monastery was built in the year 468 by Bishop Magno. In its library we found ancient documents and maps of the numerous possessions of the monastery in the Lagoon and estuary. Vineyards, olive groves, herb gardens and orchards were cultivated, but later, while the monastery was becoming an economic hub and powerhouse, the area towards Piazza San Marco was settled by merchants, in particular from Greece and Constantinople.
Soon, the nuns had a guesthouse built, and a church opened for the merchants of this thriving quarter. This church was dedicted to Saint Proculus - called San Provolo in Venice.
In these gardens, a Spezieria was located: A Spice atelier, using spices and herbs from the garden.
Until the year 1797, every monastery in Venice had una spezeria - a spice atelier, herb garden, and apothecary. A place where herbs, blossoms and spices were grown and mixed. San Zaccaria was no exception: Such a lush gardenscape, and a nursery. A fragrant oasis of kumquat, oranges, lemons, tangerines, damascene roses, grapes, elderflowers, fig trees, olives, and red currants.
A home to 248 edible plants from the Lagoon
These are the ingredients we experiment with in the kitchen, re-creating the naturally flavored dishes of the past. We harvest herbs on the terrace connected to the kitchen via a wrought-iron staircase, shielded by a tall laurel hedge from the sun.
a family project
Just after WW2, Nonna Lina opened her first restaurant next to Campo San Zaccaria (near Piazza San Marco).
From April 1968, Nonna took care of the ancient vegetable garden of San Zaccaria, restoring its herb garden, pergolati, and hanging terraces.
Together, we went through the ancient recipes from the monastery's library. Still so much to be discovered!
the essences
Venetians have always loved experimenting with herbs and spices,
creating the first fusion cuisine in history.
A GARDEN
in VENICE:
MAGAZINE
A green courtyard with orchard, hanging terraces, vegetable plots, and a herb garden remain of the former orchards of San Zaccaria. In our upcoming book, we share stories and recipes retrieved from the monastery libary.
REad on ...
from our readers
“I want to live in your Venice!
You describe it in such rich and loving detail!"
You describe the city in such rich and loving detail!”
— KATHLEEN GONZALEZ - AUTHOR OF SEDUCTIVE VENICE
FROM OUR READERS
“La Venessiana does bring Venice here, to me, in Oxford
and I enjoy it immensely!”
and I enjoy it immensely!”
— JANET RANT
gift from the garden
Pomegranate spritz + tonic
Can't be in Venice right now, as we're getting closer to the Holiday Season? But - you're craving for a Venetian aperitivo? Download our favorite recipe for the pomegranate garden spritz and winter blossom tonics!
