Why is that island called Sant’Angelo della Polvere? Today, we’ll uncover the secrets of this intriguing place in the Venetian Lagoon. Once known as Sant’Angelo di Concordia it later became Sant’Angelo di Contorta.
Sant’Angelo della Polvere sits in the Contorta channel. It lies not far from Giudecca and San Giorgio in Alga. This island covers just 0.53 hectares. You’ll find four buildings standing on it.
In 1060, a church and monastery were established here. Benedictine monks first occupied it. Later, Benedictine nuns took over. They dedicated the church to St. Michael Archangel. This is where the name Sant’Angelo comes from.
But life for the nuns wasn’t so serene. By 1474, their behavior was deemed scandalous. They were forced to relocate to the monastery of the Cross in Giudecca.
The Carmelites of Mantua and Brescia then took control in 1518. However, by 1554, they too faced hardship. They left the island and moved to Giudecca as well.
A significant change occurred in 1555. The Senate of Venice decided the island’s air was unhealthy. They chose to depopulate Sant’Angelo. Instead, they installed a gunpowder depot. This gave the island its current name “della Polvere” meaning “of the powder”.
Disaster struck on August 29, 1689. Lightning hit the depot. The resulting explosions were devastating. They almost wiped out the entire complex. The island was abandoned for decades. Yet, 18th-century maps reveal some military installations remained.
Sant’Angelo della Polvere continued its role as a military site until World War II. Since then, it has been unused and has fallen into decay.
There’s been talk of restoring the island. Despite its state, Sant’Angelo della Polvere holds layers of history. From a religious center to a storehouse of gunpowder it echoes Venice’s past.
As we look out at Sant’Angelo della Polvere remember its story. It’s a tale of faith, scandal, and destruction. It is a reminder of Venice’s strategic past.