Virgins of Venice : enclosed lives and broken vows in the Renaissance convent /

Laven, Mary, 1969-

Virgins of Venice : enclosed lives and broken vows in the Renaissance convent / Mary Laven - [London] : Penguin, [2003] - 284 p., [8] p. of plates : ill., facsims., maps, ports. ; 20 cm

Originally published: London: Viking, 2002

Includes Bibliographic references and index

Renaissance Venice had 50 convents and about 3000 nuns. Far from being places of religious devotion, the convents were dumping grounds for unmarried women fron the upper ranks of Venetian society. Mary Laven creates a portrait of the nun's world.

9780140298291 pbk 9780140298291 pbk £7.99


Monasticism and religious orders for women--History--Italy--Venice--16th century
Women--Social conditions--Italy--Venice--16th century
Nuns--Social conditions--Italy--Venice--16th century
Convents--History--Italy--Venice--16th century
Religion & beliefs
European history
Social & cultural history
Christianity


Venice (Italy)--Social conditions--16th century