The Island can be admired from Riva degli Schiavoni, in Saint Mark’s. It is separated from the island of Giudecca from the Canale delle Grazie and the only way to reach it is by public water boat or a taxi boat.The island belonged to the Patrician family of the Memmo’s (it was called Mummia Island). In the VIII-IX century it was erected a little church in honour of San Giorgio and the name was changed in Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore (in order to distinguish it from San Giorgio in Alga).The monastery was erected by the Benedettino Monk Giovanni Morosini (the first Abbot of the monastery itself). Right after the area surrounding the island was reclaimed. The island became his property in 982, it was gifted to him by doge Tribuno Memmo.
During the Years the small church left place to the current Basilica, projected by Palladio and became the symbol of the cultural importance of the San Giorgio Maggiore Monastery. On the inside there are paintings by Tintoretto, Jacopo Palma il Giovane, Sebastiano Ricci and Carpaccio. The bell tower is dated 1791.