Private island with Napoleonic fort up for sale - A look at the Venetian dream home

Imagine waking up in a historic fortress-turned-home on a private island, surrounded by the waters of the Venice lagoon and views of the city's famous islands. That is what buyers are being offered with the Island of Crevan, located about five miles from Venice and reportedly on the market for $7.5 million. The island combines centuries of military history with the privacy of a secluded waterfront residence. At its centre is a former Napoleonic fort, now converted into a small villa with four principal rooms, two bathrooms and vegetable gardens. The fortress, built in 1806 as part of Napoleon's defensive system for Venice, was later expanded and reinforced under Austrian rule. After becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, the island continued to serve a military purpose until after World War I. The property was restored in 1996 and has since been converted for residential use, giving its future owner the chance to live inside a piece of Venetian history while enjoying complete privacy. Historic fort, private waterfront home The property offers views across the Venice lagoon towards the islands of Torcello, Murano and Burano. It can be reached by both air and water and has an internal canal along with two private boat moorings. According to the New York Post, the new owner could also transform the existing property into a larger, more contemporary home and add accommodation for caretakers. The combination of historic architecture and private waterfront space is central to the property's appeal. “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”, said founder and CEO of Lionard Luxury Real Estate, Dimitri Corti. He said Crevan offers the rare opportunity to retreat from the outside world while remaining connected to the appeal of Venice. “What is acquired is not simply a residence and a piece of land, but space, privacy and an entire landscape to preserve”, he added.