Main islands of the Venetian Lagoon

MURANO (famous for the glass laboratories)

With ancient origins dating back to Roman times, Murano gained notoriety from the end of the 13th century when Venice decided that the glass furnaces should move to this area because of the frequent fires. In the 16th century its fortunes were consolidated in Europe thanks to the amazing technical and artistic inventions of the furnaces (one example is crystal glass).

Murano is the largest of the three islands. Arriving by motor vessel, the first thing we encounter is the lighthouse, built in the Middle Ages in wood and rebuilt in 1934 in Istrian stone. We get off the boat and continue straight on along Calle Bressagio, arriving at the end of the calle (street) in Rio dei Vetrai with its numerous glassmakers and shops (note: not all glass sold in Murano is original from Murano). Of particular interest are the Gothic church of San Pietro Martire, Palazzo Da Mula, Palazzo Giustinian (seat of the Glass Museum) and the Church of S.S. Maria e Donato, one of the best-known religious complexes and dating back to 1140.

BURANO (famous for lace)

Also dating back to Roman times, Burano became famous in the 16th century for its needle lace (known as 'air stitch' because it was created without fabric to support it), a fine and elegant craft product that was purchased by noblewomen and queens from all over Europe.

Burano is different from the better-known islands - in fact it has no famous palace - what makes it picturesque are its brightly painted houses.

Upon arrival, you will come to a large tree-lined square from which you will reach small shops selling lace and other items (note: not all the lace sold in Burano is original Burano lace). In Piazza Galuppi there is the 16th century Cathedral of San Martino, the oratory of Santa Barbara and the 16th-18th century bell tower of the Cathedral, recognizable by its slope due to a subsidence of the foundations (now consolidated thanks to the restoration work). In one of the Gothic palaces located in the square it is possible to visit the Lace School Museum, which houses the embroiderers who have the task of maintaining and spreading the lace tradition.

Do not forget to taste the typical sweet Buranello: the bussolà, you can find it in the bakeries-pastry shops.

TORCELLO (famous for its religious complex)

Landing at Torcello is like arriving in another time. The island is not as chaotic as the others, here solitude reigns and time is marked in a different way.

Upon arrival, continue through a single “fondamenta”, alongside the famous Devil's Bridge (so called because a legend tells that it was built by demonic forces in a single night), up to the square where the “carega di Atila" -or the throne of Attila- and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, perhaps the oldest Venetian monument (apparently dating back to the 7th century), are located. Inside there is a particularly interesting mosaic of the 'Last Judgement'. In the same square you can see a couple of Gothic palaces, the Palazzo del Consiglio and the Palazzo dell'Archivio, and the Basilica di Santa Fosca (with a central plan and no dome).