A private island in the Venetian Lagoon, complete with its own historic Napoleonic fort, has gone on the market for $7.5 million, offering buyers a rare chance to own a secluded Mediterranean retreat just a short distance from Venice.The Island of Crevan, spanning around 5,700 square metres, features a 215-square-metre fortress that has been transformed into a small villa. The property, currently surrounded by greenery and vegetable gardens, can be reached by air or water and has an internal canal and two private boat moorings.Restored in 1996, the villa has four principal rooms and two bathrooms. The property also includes the caretaker’s quarters, which future owners could consolidate to create a larger and more contemporary residence.
From military stronghold to private retreat
Crevan’s history dates back to the Napoleonic era, when the island became part of the defensive system designed to protect the Venetian Lagoon.A military redoubt was built on the island in 1806. It was later enlarged and reinforced under Austrian rule as the lagoon’s network of fortifications evolved.In 1866, following the incorporation of the Veneto region into the Kingdom of Italy, Crevan retained its military role. It continued to serve a military purpose until after the First World War, before eventually passing into private hands.The former military stronghold was later adapted for residential use, turning a piece of Venice’s defensive history into an unusually secluded home.
A private island in the Venetian Lagoon
The property combines historic architecture with the privacy of an island estate. Its waterways and private moorings provide direct access by boat, while its aerial accessibility offers another route to the secluded property.Dimitri Corti, founder and CEO of Lionard Luxury Real Estate, which is marketing the property, said: “In ultra-prime real estate, a private island represents one of the purest expressions of ownership: its boundary is not a wall, but the horizon.“Crevan offers the privilege of withdrawing from the world without leaving behind the universal allure of Venice.“What is acquired is not simply a residence and a piece of land, but space, privacy and an entire landscape to preserve.”