San Lazzaro degli Armeni

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In 1185 the small island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni was donated to Leone Parlini, who established a church, monastery and hospital for lepers (Lazarus was the patron saint of lepers), hence the first part of its name. By the late 15th century the number of lepers had declined to such a degree that the island fell into disuse. San Lazzaro was abandoned for two centuries before an Armenian monastery was set up on the island in 1717. The monastery was founded by Manug di Pietro, who was known as Mekhitar ('The Consoler'). Mekhitar had been driven by the Turks from the religious foundation he had established in the Morea.  The Armenian monks of San Lazzaro quickly established a reputation as scholars and linguists, a reputation they hold to this day. 

The island will be forever associated in the popular imagination with Lord Byron, who studied Armenian here in 1816. In addition to learning the language, the poet helped with the preparation of an Armenian-English dictionary. 

The island can be visited only though a guided tour; and there is only one tour a day. Catch the vaporetto (Linea 20) from San Zaccaria ("B") at 15.10. The tour is scheduled to finish in time to catch the 17.25 vaporetto back to San Zaccaria. 
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San Lazzaro degli Armeni