Museo Della Follia

Lonely Planet review

From the 7th to the 17th centuries Benedictine monks had a monastery on San Servolo, bits of which still remain in the former hospital. This has been partly opened as the Museo della Follia. Two intriguing rooms are full of paraphernalia and explanations of the days when being sent to San Servolo was undesirable. In the first room is a series of before/after photos of 19th-century inmates, many of whom were little more than extremely poor folk slightly deranged through bad nutrition and vitamin deficiency.

In the main room are instruments used for electro-shock therapy, while in an annex are other 'therapeutic' instruments, including chains and straight jackets. Of particular interest is the ancient pharmacy, where for centuries many of Venice's medicines were concocted. The guided tour of the island, which must be booked in advance, also takes in the park and modest church. For San Servolo, take vaporetto 20 from San Zaccaria. The hotel on San Clemente operates a shuttle service.