St. Catherine’s Monastery - 1575

An active monastery for 450 years, now open to the public.

A journey through the ground floor complex, without violating the cloister rules since the nun’s living quarters are situated in the above floors.

March 6, 2025

Such a timely treat to discover St. Catherine’s Monastery for female orphans. My beloved book group The LF Bibs just finished The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable, a true story of Anna Maria Della Pieta, a Venetian orphan raised in a convent and a violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi. Exploring St. Catherine's Monastery was a step back in time into life of a monastery sister or nun.

Founded in 1575, the Marquis Giovanni Vasco Oliveriro and his wife Katarina, offered their palace, Casa Vanilla, so that these orphans could get a good upbringing. They did this out of gratitude for having their son spared from the deadly plague.

The Courtyard Garden

Sheltered and silent, this garden grows herbs and fruit for the monastery and beyond. The three freshwater wells are the garden’s life force, and the vine tree fortifies its walls. In the center, sallow thorns, oranges and lemons provide a steady supply of fruit. From the ground, red tomatoes and various herbs have sustained the nuns through four centuries of history, making it the monastery’s backbone, providing nourishment and serenity.

Mother Superior

A typical room for those with a leadership position in the Monastery.

Sleeping Quarters

The nuns slept in “cells” that provided basic comforts for sleep and prayer.

Curtains were for privacy and drafts.

Prayer alter.

Cells could be locked.