SURROUNDED BY A PRISTINE REALITY THAT ALSO CONQUERED LUCHINO VISCONTI.
The Alberoni area is a treasure chest of nature and history, with its oasis protected by the WWF, where the dunes create a unique landscape and where the beauty of the beach dazzled Luchino Visconti, who filmed the external shots of his Death in Venice in the Alberoni Baths.
A holiday in Alberoni means sea, sport and nature, the last stop of the Lido before continuing to the charming island of Pellestrina.
THE “DESERT” OF THE ADRIATIC COAST
The Alberoni area is a small town south of the Lido of Venice, not far from the village of Malamocco, from which it takes its name for its port mouth (the central access to the Venice lagoon, between the northern one of San Nicolò and the southern one of Chioggia).
The name Alberoni derives from Albaiones, a crasis between the Latin words albus (white) and montones (dunes), and refers to one of the most famous features of this area: its sandy dunes that today are part of an oasis protected by the WWF. The oasis extends for 160 hectares, and is characterised by the so-called pioneer dunes, the “white dunes” and the “grey dunes”, which, although creating an almost desert environment along certain stretches, have very peculiar fauna and flora, typical of the Adriatic coast. On these beaches the protected species of the Kentish plover also nests, a small wading bird that makes its nest directly on the beach.
FROM TOURISTIC BEACHES TO MOVIE SETS
But Alberoni is not only synonymous with nature: it is in fact a very popular resort for summer tourism, for its enchanting beaches, both natural and equipped with amenities. While in winter the inhabitants of this area are reduced to a few dozen Venetians, in summer the promenade comes to life and its kiosks are filled with tourists.
Here, the historic Bagni Alberoni [Alberoni Baths] are found, among the oldest in Venice (they were created in the 1920s). These baths owe their fame to Luchino Visconti, who, struck by the charm of the place, filmed the exterior scenes of Death in Venice there. In Alberoni there are also two ancient fortifications, from the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Finally, the unique feature of this destination is the 18-hole golf course, the only one in the city of Venice, where the path surrounded by greenery winds through maritime pines, willows, mulberries and poplars. Legend has it that it was created to satisfy the desire of Henry Ford, the founder of the car manufacturer who, arriving at the Lido in 1928, wanted to play golf and was disappointed to discover that there was no course in Venice. The Alberoni are also the last stop of the Lido of Venice before taking the ferry to reach the enchanting and tranquil island of Pellestrina.
“…in the morning, we use to go to the Lido; we swim in the sea for 20 minutes, with a delightful sand under the feet…”