2012 marks a break with tradition as the Venice Symposium moves to San Servolo.
The island of San Servolo is located in the Venetian lagoon, between the island of Lido and the centre of Venice, ten minutes by boat from St Mark’s Square.
San Servolo, originally owned by a Venetian family, became a Benedictine monastery in the eighth century. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, San Servolo was turned into a new military hospital, and the latter was later used to care for the mentally ill. The hospital was closed in 1978 and the island now boasts a thriving conference centre, and is home to the International University of Venice. It is the only island of the Venetian lagoon to have been bought by a local authority, the Province of Venice.
The entire complex of San Servolo, of undisputed historical, architectural and cultural value, is immersed in stunning gardens with hundred year- old trees. A cloister and an eighteenth-century church, a panoramic viewpoint and several terraces overlooking the Venetian lagoon
all emphasize the evocative atmosphere of the venue.
With its numerous conference rooms and the adjacent accommodation buildings providing over 300 beds, San Servolo represents the perfect setting for the Venice 2012 Symposium.
The Museum of Madness, a cloister and a stunning church from the eighteenth century complete San Servolo’s cultural offering and place the island amongst the most important conference and training centres in Venice.
Services available
Although two coffee breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and one light working lunch are offered daily by the Organising Secretariat (included in the Symposium registration fee), the venue also provides a bar and self-service restaurant.
San Servolo Restaurant offers breakfast for € 6,50 and a lunch/dinner service for € 10,00 (pasta dish, main dish, side order, dessert or fruit, beverages).
The Restaurant is open at the following times:
- 7.30am – 9.30am
- 12pm – 2.30pm
- 7pm – 9pm