For sale: An island in the Venetian lagoon — with a private villa and a helipad

An island in the Venetian lagoon, including a Napoleonic fort and lush gardens, is up for sale. According to a report in The Guardian, the island of Crevan offers a spectacular view of the main island of Venice, while remaining far from the crowds of tourists that fill the city.

The asking price has not been published and will be revealed only to potential buyers. The island is located a few minutes' boat ride from the islands of Burano and Torcello, and it is slightly smaller than a standard soccer field.

Crevan was built by the French army during the Napoleonic era and served as a strategic fort to protect the northern lagoon of Venice from the Austrian Empire. In 1815, the island fell into the hands of the Austrian regime, and 50 years later it was transferred to Italian sovereignty. Crevan continued to be used for military purposes until after the First World War. It was abandoned for years, and eventually purchased by private individuals.

Still, the Napoleonic fort remains its most prominent feature. The current owner turned it into a small four-bedroom villa, surrounded by manicured gardens, vegetable patches, and fruit trees. In addition, there is a private dock along the island's internal water canal, as well as a helipad.

"Crevan offers the privilege of retreating from the world without giving up for a moment the universal charm of Venice," said Dimitri Corti, founder and CEO of the luxury real estate agency Liard, in a press release. "You are not just buying a house and a piece of land, but a space, privacy, and an entire landscape that must be preserved."

However, Crevan has competitors. The island of Santa Cristina, which had been owned by an heir to the Swarovski crystal empire for decades, was offered for sale for about 24 million euros in June. This luxury resort includes a huge villa, a saltwater swimming pool, and vineyards. Also, a hexagonal-shaped island close to the Lido of Venice, whose roots date back to the 16th century when it was built as a defense post by the Republic of Venice, is also for sale.