An island in the Venice lagoon featuring a Napoleonic fort and lush gardens has been put up for sale. Named Crevan, it is described as an “enchanting oasis of peace and beauty” and offers a “spectacular view” of Venice’s main island while remaining distant from its crowds.
History and location
Located a few minutes by boat from the islands of Burano and Torcello, Crevan is slightly smaller than a standard football pitch. It was built in 1806 by the French military during the Napoleonic era as a strategic outpost to defend the northern Venetian lagoon from the Austrian empire. In 1815, the island fell under Austrian rule before passing to the Italian state in 1866, following the annexation of Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy. Crevan continued to serve a military purpose until after the first world war.
After years of neglect, it was bought by a private owner and its buildings were restored as residential properties.
Features and sale
The island’s most prominent feature is the Napoleonic fort, which the current owner has converted into a small villa with four bedrooms, surrounded by manicured lawns, vegetable and fruit gardens, and trees. There is also a private mooring along the island’s small internal canal and a helipad.
Crevan has been listed for sale by several top property agencies, including Lionard Luxury Real Estate and Dimora Italian Real Estate, an affiliate of Christie’s International. The asking price is strictly reserved for interested buyers.
“Crevan offers the privilege of withdrawing from the world without ever leaving the universal allure of Venice,” said Dimitri Corti, founder and chief executive of Lionard Luxury Real Estate, in a press release. “What one acquires is not simply a residence and a piece of land, but space, privacy and an entire landscape to preserve.”
Competition in the lagoon
Crevan faces competition from other island properties. Isola Santa Cristina, another island in the Venetian lagoon that was owned for decades by the heir to the Swarovski crystal empire, was put up for sale at about €24m in June. The luxury retreat includes a large villa, a saltwater swimming pool, and vineyards. An octagonal-shaped island near the Venice lido, dating back to the 1500s when it was built as a defence post by the Republic of Venice, is also on the market.
