7 – Museum San Servolo
7 – Museum San Servolo in Venice, was once Italy’s most prominent mental institutions; which took in over 200,000 patients, starting in the mid-1700’s.
Nicknamed the “Island of the Mad”, it was transformed into a museum in 2006, that offers a deeply moving and educational experience. It now preserves the memory of mental health treatment through centuries, and educates visitors about its historic past.
Walk through laboratories, therapy rooms, pharmacies and even an on-site anatomical theatre. Most of the medical equipment that was used, is still on display today.
San Servolo, is also the location of the “Venice International University”, the prestigious “International College of Ca’ Foscari University”, and a hotel.
Introduction
The Insa*e Asylum
Tickets and Opening Times
Links (internal–external)
- History Museum
- Suggested duration: 1 – 2 hours
- Vaporetto stop: San Zaccaria
- Cost: €7 (adults), €5 (reduced)
7 – Museum San Servolo. Introduction
Above left. The island with the Lido close behind Above right: One of the three therapies used to treat the patients – bathing, electro-convulsive shock and music.
Its first settlement dates back to the 7th century, when a group of Benedictine monks took refuge on the narrow and marshy island. In 1647, the complex was given to a group of Benedictine, Dominican and Franciscan nuns from the island of Candia.
Next, the Senate of the Venetian Republic decided to use the Island of San Servolo to house the many injured who fled the clashes with the Turks. Medical services were provided by the Padri Ospedalieri di San Giovanni di Dio, now known as Fatebenefratelli. From that time on, the island’s history became closely linked with the authorities’ attitude toward disabling illnesses in general, and mental illness in particular. It housed psychiatric patients until the hospital’s closing following the psychiatric reform of 1978.
It is now home to the museum, Venice International University and the prestigious International College of Ca’ Foscari University
It is a quiet and peaceful island, with an architectural complex surrounded by lush parkland and is now also one of the most important conference centres of Venice and its surroundings. Refreshments are available in the hotel. Isola di San Servolo is about 5 ha in size and located around 2 kilometres southeast of Piazza San Marco, Venice and about 500 metres off the Lido.
Be aware that the museum is actually rather small and most of the buildings are occupied by Venice University and a hotel. You’ll need to visit the hotel’s reception (opposite the ferry point) to buy a ticket to the museum. Unless you have booked onto a tour; they only open at 10:45 am and 2 pm.
Getting there. Take the vaporetto Line no 20, from San Zaccaria, just south of Piazza San Marco. Journey time is about 10 minutes. Check all details for your visit and return journey,
Museum San Servolo – The Insa*e Asylum
The Insa*e Asylum Museum of San Servolo, not only give you an insight in the procedures and daily life at the psychiatric hospital; but also, in its aspect of marginalisation and segregation.
The museum was inaugurated on 20 May 2006 and houses items that belonged to the psychiatric hospital; that operated on the island until 1978.
It is divided into sections: laboratory, clinic, workshops, patients and therapies, restraints, items made by patients, lodgings, anatomic room and photographic collection.
You will see chains, handcuffs and straitjackets, used to contain patients in the 19th century and also instruments used to cure mental illnesses, such as electroshock machines. Music therapy, was tried for the first time at San Servolo.
The Historical Archive owns a huge collection of more than 50,000 clinical patient records from 1842 until 1978. The first documents even date from 1716.
An intriguing part of the visit is the insight in the evolution of medical science and treatments. Mental therapy in the 19th century, mainly consisted of baths and activities such as working outside or painting and music therapy. The hospital also used the first lie detector.
Left: The Old Pharmacy.
Tickets and Opening Times
Opening times and days
Thursday: 14:00 to 17:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:45 to 16:30
Closed on Bank Holidays
Guided tours (including in English) are available every day, including weekends, but must be booked in advance. You can arrange one by calling +39 041 8627167 (Monday to Friday, 9:00–13:00) or emailing [email protected].
Price Structure: Full Admission €7.00 Reduced Admission €5.00
- Reduced (€5):
- Older people (65+)
- Students
- Residents of the Metropolitan City of Venice
- Guests of San Servolo’s residential/conference center
- Military and civil service volunteers
- Free Admission:
- Children under 14 (with adult)
- Visitors with disabilities + companion
- Journalists
- Residents of the Metropolitan City of Venice on the first Friday of each month
- School groups participating in educational activities Open Thursday to Sunday, with guided tours available daily by reservation.
TOP 25 MUSEUMS. Select your museum and click on the link below:
1 – Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace)
2 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection
6 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco
7 – San Servolo Insa*e Asylum Museum (not linked)
8 – Palazzo Grassi (Francois Pinault Collection)
11 – Fondazione Querini Stampalia
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello
25 – Museo Archeologico Nazionale
LINKS (internal – external)
Official Website of Insa*e Asylum Museum
You Tube Video: Isola di San Servolo – Venice – Renzo Manganotti.
To widen your experience and enjoyment before visiting, please see my comprehensive and illustrated posts below.
Everything you need to know about the lagoon and its ecosystem, together with all the main islands of interest, other than those directly related to Venice itself – 5* hotels and retreats, universities, churches and monasteries, festival sites, holiday resorts, yacht harbours, old defensive fortifications and military stores and finally old hospitals and isolation sites for plague. If you want to get away from the bustling city of Venice; take a look at what’s on offer. you will be amazed!
The Venetian Lagoon and its Ecosystem
ALL 21 MAJOR ISLANDS ARE COVERED BY OUR COMPREHENSIVE AND ILLUSTRATED POSTS Islands of the Lagoon
7 – Museum San Servolo 7 – Museum San Servolo 7 – Museum San Servolo 7 – Museum San Servolo