La Serenissima, the city of canals, bridges, and timeless romance, has now gained another magnificent attraction—a meticulously restored new garden in Venice in october 2024 hat promises a quiet escape from the bustling streets and historic charm of the city.
The “In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris” by the Venice Gardens Foundation is nestled within the Convent of the Church of Santissimo Redentore.
This recently restored gem is the brainchild of Adele Re Rebaudengo, president of the Venice Gardens Foundation, known for her dedication to reviving Venice's green spaces and architectural heritage. Let’s delve into the story of this new garden in Venice, which has already begun to capture the hearts of both locals and travelers alike.
Adele Re Rebaudengo and the Venice Gardens Foundation: "In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris"
Adele Re Rebaudengo has spent years working to bring forgotten spaces in Venice back to life. Her foundation, Venice Gardens Foundation, has a track record of ambitious restoration projects, including the recent rejuvenation of the Royal Gardens of San Marco. With the same passion and precision, she has turned her attention to the new garden in Venice (In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris) of the Redentore, an iconic symbol of Venice’s spiritual heritage.
The garden restoration is not simply about replanting or landscape beautification. Instead, it is a deep, historically faithful revival of a place once intended to reflect the sanctity of the convent. Rebaudengo emphasizes how her team worked to preserve existing elements and integrate them into the garden’s design, creating a space that honors its sacred past while opening it to the public for the first time.
Visitors can now walk paths that mirror those from hundreds of years ago, explore the olive groves, and experience the beauty of a landscape that blends nature, spirituality, and Venetian history.
Why visit the new Garden in Venice, Hortus Redemptoris? A must-see for Venice travelers
For travelers seeking a different side of Venice, the Hortus Redemptoris offers a unique, enriching experience that goes beyond the typical Venetian landmarks. The new garden in Venice presents an opportunity to connect with nature, history, and spirituality in a single visit. Here, you can stroll among ancient olive trees, breathe in the fragrance of medicinal herbs, and feel the tranquility of a place crafted with reverence for the past and respect for the environment.
A visit to the Hortus Redemptoris is more than sightseeing—it’s a journey into the heart of Venetian culture and a chance to explore a hidden gem that celebrates both the human spirit and the natural world. For travelers looking to step off the beaten path, this garden promises a serene escape and a unique connection to Venice’s rich history and beauty.
The new Garden in Venice: A journey through history and nature
Stepping into the Hortus Redemptoris is like stepping into another time. The new garden in Venice is designed to encourage mindful wandering, with pathways that wind through a variety of botanicals and traditional plantings. The restoration was conducted with a commitment to historical accuracy, with landscape architect Paolo Pejrone reintroducing elements such as the 17th-century cross-shaped pergola—a significant spiritual symbol for the convent.
Alongside its aesthetic appeal, the garden serves practical functions, featuring a vegetable garden and fruit orchards that supply the on-site café and restaurant. The concept of “meter-zero” dining, where the ingredients are harvested just steps from the kitchen, offers visitors a uniquely local and sustainable experience. This connection between the garden and the café not only supports the convent's eco-friendly ethos but also creates an intimate experience for visitors eager to taste a bit of Venice, quite literally.
The foundation has also reintroduced medicinal herbs and flowers, reminiscent of the convent’s original functions, when plants were used for healing purposes. Beyond its beauty, the garden acts as a small biodiversity haven, complete with beehives managed in collaboration with entomologist Paolo Fontana. This not only enriches the garden's ecology but also contributes to important research on local bee populations.
New Garden in Venice: A modern botanical restoration with historic roots
A remarkable new garden in Venice is captivating both locals and travelers, offering an oasis of tranquility in a city famed for its art and architecture. This garden, situated in the convent of Santissimo Redentore, is part of a broader initiative by the Venice Gardens Foundation to revive and protect the city’s green spaces.
The garden’s design captures both the neoclassical style and 19th-century botanical aesthetics, making it a fascinating site where visitors can explore a blend of art, nature, and Venetian history. Here, along shaded pathways surrounded by diverse plants and lush vegetation, you can experience the serenity of an ancient garden restored for the modern era.
New Garden in Venice: Sustainability at the core
Environmental conservation is at the heart of the Hortus Redemptoris project. The Venice Gardens Foundation implemented numerous eco-friendly practices to ensure that the news garden in Venice remains a sustainable oasis. For instance, rather than relying on the city’s water supply, which could burden Venice’s fragile infrastructure, the foundation built a dedicated well to irrigate the garden. Rainwater collection systems and large steel tanks have also been installed for water storage, underscoring the commitment to responsible water use.
Furthermore, the team meticulously repurposed materials during the restoration. Old stone pathways were repurposed to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding, which can be a critical issue in Venice. Old bricks and stones found in the convent grounds were incorporated into the garden’s layout, creating a visually cohesive and environmentally sound design.
Public access to the new Garden in Venice
One of the most exciting aspects of this new garden in Venice is that, for the first time, the convent’s grounds are open to the public. Although the Royal Gardens of San Marco offer free admission, the Hortus Redemptoris operates with a small entrance fee to support the upkeep of this sacred and carefully tended site. Residents of Venice can purchase an annual pass for unlimited access, while day visitors are welcomed to explore the grounds at a leisurely pace.
Visitors will find an inviting café and a small restaurant within the garden, offering simple yet delicious traditional dishes. This dining option provides a place to relax and savor the garden’s produce, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in the garden’s atmosphere. This approach balances accessibility with preservation, ensuring that the sanctity of the convent grounds is respected while inviting people from all over the world to experience its beauty.
New Garden in Venice: A testament to cultural
The new Garden in Venice (Hortus Redemptoris project) is a testament to Rebaudengo’s belief in the importance of reconnecting people with nature, especially in urban areas where green spaces are rare. With the success of the Royal Gardens restoration, she has seen how such spaces become vital social and cultural hubs for the community. Her vision for the Hortus Redemptoris is no different: she hopes it will become a gathering place, an oasis, and a sanctuary for reflection amid the hustle and bustle of Venice.
Rebaudengo’s work highlights a broader trend in modern heritage preservation, where restorations not only revive historic spaces but also adapt them to meet the needs of contemporary society. By creating accessible, sustainable green spaces, projects like the Hortus Redemptoris enable visitors to experience Venice’s unique blend of history, art, and nature in a meaningful way.
New Garden in Venice: Funding and maintenance
Large-scale restoration projects come with hefty price tags. The Venice Gardens Foundation faced significant financial hurdles, raising nearly €6 million to complete the project new Garden Venice. With contributions from the European Union, Italy’s Ministry of Culture, and private patrons, the foundation was able to bring Rebaudengo’s vision to life. Maintaining the garden also incurs ongoing costs; annual maintenance is estimated at €300,000. To address this, the foundation employs a dedicated team of gardeners led by Edoardo Bodi, whose expertise ensures the garden remains a lush, vibrant space.
This need for resources reflects a larger issue within Italy and beyond: the struggle to maintain cultural and environmental heritage in the face of limited funding. Rebaudengo’s foundation stands as a beacon for other preservationists, proving that with passion, commitment, and community support, it is possible to protect and rejuvenate historic sites.
Insights into the gardens of Venice
In addition to the new garden in Venice named In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris made by Venice Gardens Foundation, finished restoration in October 2024, we delve into other gardens in Venice below.
The Royal Gardens: Venice’s iconic 19th-Century Sanctuary
One of the most iconic of Venice’s gardens, the Giardini Reali (Royal Gardens), is a beautiful blend of historical and natural elements. Located near San Marco and overlooking the lagoon, the Royal Gardens were originally created during the Napoleonic era, designed as a royal retreat adjacent to the Royal Palace. The layout includes striking pathways lined with palm trees and a rich variety of Mediterranean plants, making it an ideal place for a peaceful walk.
The Royal Gardens recently underwent a botanical restoration, with landscape architects preserving the park's neoclassical charm while incorporating modern botanical species and practices to ensure its continued beauty and sustainability. This project not only enhanced the Royal Gardens as a public park but also revitalized one of the most scenic spots in the city of Venice.
Exploring the many Gardens of Venice: History and charm across the City
Venice is home to a variety of gardens, each with its own unique history and style. From the Papadopoli Gardens near Piazzale Roma to the sprawling Savorgnan Park by Rio di Cannaregio, the city’s green spaces offer a contrast to its waterways and historic buildings. Many of these gardens, such as those in the Castello district, are centuries-old, dating back to the Napoleonic period or even earlier.
The Giardini della Biennale, or Gardens of the Biennale, host the famous international art exhibition and serve as one of the largest green areas in the city, drawing artists and nature lovers alike. The juxtaposition of greenery with Venetian architecture in these gardens makes each one a unique experience, combining public park appeal with Venice’s rich history and artistic culture.
Botanical restoration: Preserving Venice’s ancient Gardens for future generations
The recent wave of botanical restoration projects throughout Venice, led by organizations like the Venice Gardens Foundation, reflects a broader trend toward preserving the city’s natural heritage. Projects have included the Giardini della Biennale, where landscape architects work to blend art installations with diverse plantings, as well as Parco delle Rimembranze, located on the opposite side of the city.
The foundation has been pivotal in reinvigorating these spaces, ensuring they remain accessible to the public while preserving their historical integrity. Such botanical efforts extend to the conservation of the oldest gardens, like the neoclassical park around Palazzo Savorgnan and the Napoleonic Gardens on Riva degli Schiavoni. This movement to protect and restore greenery in Venice is creating accessible and environmentally sustainable sanctuaries across the city, offering shaded refuges and lush landscapes in a place known for its architecture and art.
New Garden in Venice: conclusion
The In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris by the Venice Gardens Foundation isn’t just another new garden Venice; it’s a living embodiment of Venice’s resilience, heritage, and commitment to sustainability.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the city, a stroll through these lush grounds is bound to leave you enchanted.
It’s a peaceful retreat in the midst of one of the world’s most beautiful and vibrant cities—an oasis of calm, a testament to nature, and a celebration of Venice’s eternal charm.