Shortly after Poveglia, we meet on our right the island of Santo Spirito, and on our left Sacca Sessola also called the island of Roses.
The island of Santo Spirito, during the Middle Ages, was inhabited by religious Canons Regulars, Cistercians, and Hermits. On the island, there is a church where you could find paintings by Palma il Vecchio and Tiziano. For a short period of time, part of the convent was used as a printing facility for music books.
The Hermits were forced to leave the island when Pope Alexander VII suppressed their order in 1656; later, the Venetian Senate sold the properties. The precious works of art were transferred to the Saint Mary of Health church, simply known as Salute, which was still under construction. With the arrival of Napoleon, both the church and the monastery were looted and the island was used as a military garrison; as a matter of fact, old buildings were demolished to make room for barracks and sheds.
It finally became a powder keg during the Second World War. The island is now completely abandoned.
