Venice is unique in many ways. The layout for which the city is so famous, built on a lagoon and navigated by a series of waterways rather than roads, of course, is rather unusual. Public transport consisting of water boats is also an uncommon trait of the city. Half-flooded book shops, pretty Skittle-hued houses in Burano, former leper colonies, rich museums, incredible architectural gems, astounding churches, endless ghosts and tales of hauntings, exceptional restaurants, elegant hotels, and more all can be found throughout this unforgettable and magical and sometimes strange city. But, as with any other destination in Italy, if you have found a luxury villa in Veneto or vacation rental in Venice and are spending time exploring all that the city has to offer, you might be wondering about what you should eat while in the area! This is always one of the first questions you should ask when travelling in Italy.
While there are all sorts of specialties – from Cicchetti (plates of finger food), to Baccalà Mantecato
(one of the city's most traditional dishes made from stockfish), to Buranelli biscuits, to the beloved Spritz and the many famous cocktails whose origins are attributed to the city – to be tried during your time in Venice, there is a rather unique jam that the most discerning of foodies should make a point of acquiring. This is Vartanush, a rare rose petal jam made by Armenian monks...
While there are all sorts of specialties – from Cicchetti (plates of finger food), to Baccalà Mantecato
(one of the city's most traditional dishes made from stockfish), to Buranelli biscuits, to the beloved Spritz and the many famous cocktails whose origins are attributed to the city – to be tried during your time in Venice, there is a rather unique jam that the most discerning of foodies should make a point of acquiring. This is Vartanush, a rare rose petal jam made by Armenian monks...
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is a monastery on an island in the lagoon of Venice that has been home to the Mekhitarist monks, who are an Armenian Catholic congregation, since 1717. Settled back in the 9th century and formerly a leper colony named after the patron saint of lepers, St Lazarus, during the Middle Ages that then fell into disuse in the early 18th century, the island became the primary centre of the Mekhitarists after it was ceded by the Republic of Venice to Mkhitar Sebastatsi. Sebastastsi founded the monastery with his followers and it is today the headquarters of the order and one of the world's most prominent centres of Armenian culture and studies. The monastery is also an incredible architectural gem and home to a rich library, a stunning church with paintings by artists such as Palma il Giovane, Hovhannes Patkerahan, Jacopo Bassano, Leandro Bassano, and Bernardo Strozzi, an Armenian Museum, and Oriental Museum with artifacts from Egypt, China, and more, a rich collection of artworks in the monastery's corridors, and a rather famous garden.
The gardens of San Lazzaro degli Armeni have been long admired, with fruit trees and flowers that bloom in abundance. Among these blossoms are roses and from these roses Vartanush jam is made in May when they are in full bloom. Around five thousand jars are made each year and eaten by the around 30 monks who live on the island for breakfast and sold in the on-site gift shop. Rare and very special, this jam is one of Venice's most extraordinary delicacies and a must for the serious foodie who has found a villa in Venice and is investigating the culinary scene of the city.
Visitors can easily take the trip out to the island by catching a vaporetto from San Zaccaria in Venice and we highly recommend a wander around the art-filled halls, stunning buildings, and gorgeous gardens while you are trying to procure the precious jam. If you happen to be visiting outside of May and when the jam is not available, fear not! Even without this delicious treat, we still suggest a trip to this stunning island as there is so much to be seen and it is a truly magical and special place.
The gardens of San Lazzaro degli Armeni have been long admired, with fruit trees and flowers that bloom in abundance. Among these blossoms are roses and from these roses Vartanush jam is made in May when they are in full bloom. Around five thousand jars are made each year and eaten by the around 30 monks who live on the island for breakfast and sold in the on-site gift shop. Rare and very special, this jam is one of Venice's most extraordinary delicacies and a must for the serious foodie who has found a villa in Venice and is investigating the culinary scene of the city.
Visitors can easily take the trip out to the island by catching a vaporetto from San Zaccaria in Venice and we highly recommend a wander around the art-filled halls, stunning buildings, and gorgeous gardens while you are trying to procure the precious jam. If you happen to be visiting outside of May and when the jam is not available, fear not! Even without this delicious treat, we still suggest a trip to this stunning island as there is so much to be seen and it is a truly magical and special place.
Photo credits
Picture 2: Anton Nosik / CC BY 3.0
Picture 2: Anton Nosik / CC BY 3.0
