San Servolo has always existed slightly outside of time. Originally a Benedictine monastery, then a military hospital, then one of Venice's most storied psychiatric institutions, the island carries centuries of human stories within its walls. Today, it has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and academic campus, while preserving the quiet, contemplative atmosphere that has always defined it.

Walking through its gardens and colonnaded corridors, you quickly understand why it was chosen as the setting for a photography festival. There is something about San Servolo that invites looking — really looking — at the world.