Poveglia - The island of the Plague

In ancient times it was called Popilia, probably due to its vegetation (from the Latin populus "poplar") or in relation to the nearby Via Popilia-Annia, built by the Roman consul Publio Popilio Lenate. In the ancient sixteenth-century maps the island appears also named in the Poveggia form.

Following the Lombard invasion of the sixth century and the destruction of the cities of the hinterland (in particular Padua and Este), it became one of the resettlement centers of populations fleeing towards the coasts.

Having become a village and seat of a castle, the center effectively contributed, between 809 and 810, to the resistance of Metamauco, the ancient capital of the Duchy of Venice, besieged by the Franks.

The inhabitants of Popilia, for their active part in the defense from the Frankish invasion, received a series of privileges, such as exemption from taxes, military service and rowing in galleys.

Map: Poveglia - The island of the Plague

vCard Info:

Address: Laguna di Venezia, 30100
Poveglia (VE) Veneto
Latitude: 45.3818702
Longitude: 12.3307301
Site: ...

vCard created by: BBCC
Currently owned by: BBCC

Type: Island
Function: Historic village
Creation date:
Last update: 05/07/2022