Orto Giardino del Convento della Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore

The garden complex is annexed to the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, designed by the renowned architect Andrea Palladio for the Serenissima, as a symbol of gratitude and rebirth after the 1575-1577 outbreak of plague, and entrusted to the Capuchins by Pope Gregory XIII. It extends for approximately one hectare from the Giudecca Canal to the lagoon. Before the restoration, the complex was visibly marked by the passage of time and by the acqua granda of November 2019. In 2021 it was entrusted to Venice Gardens Foundation, headed by Adele Re Rebaudengo, with the authorisation of the Holy See, to allow it to be restored and conserved in the years to come.

Visitors will discover a place of great beauty, restored using the plans drawn up by internationally renowned landscape architect Paolo Pejrone: long pathways articulated to recall the symbolism of the cross are shaded by a chestnut wood pergola covered by grape vines and climbing roses accompanied by wisteria and bignonias. Amidst the tall cypresses a grid of paths apportions space in the olive grove, the orchard and the flower and vegetable beds, a colourful world of aromatic herbs, vegetables and flower borders composed of Mediterranean, aromatic and medicinal species of plants. The Basin with water lilies marks the centre, “the heart” of the Convent Garden and, along the edge of the lagoon, is a garden of ivies and Pittosforums with compact evergreen foliage and, overlooking the water, a pergola covered with Rosa Banksiae “Alba Plena”.
Proceeding along the path, visitors will also discover the Meditation Chapel and the Old Workshops, historical low buildings, that will host exhibitions of high artistic merit. There is then the Café looking onto the lagoon, dedicated to welcoming and offering hospitality to visitors.