Burano
Venice, Italy
Torcello island, Venice
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Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Island free; cathedral and tower ticketed
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Cathedral and tower by day; the island any time
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Getting there
- Vaporetto 9 from Burano, about 5 minutes
- Highlights
- Cathedral mosaics, Santa Fosca, the bell tower
- Residents
- Almost deserted — a handful of people
- Time needed
- About 2 hours
- Combine with
- Murano and Burano in one day
Key facts
639the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was founded
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English Wikipedia11th–12th c.the Byzantine mosaics were made
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English WikipediaLast Judgementa huge mosaic on the cathedral's west wall
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English WikipediaDevil's Bridgean old bridge with no parapets
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English WikipediaA handfulof residents where thousands once lived
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English WikipediaA short history
Torcello was one of the lagoon's first settlements. In the 5th to 7th centuries people from the Roman mainland towns moved here, and the island grew into a busy centre with a bishop, markets, churches and thousands of inhabitants. Many historians see it as the cradle of Venice; later the action shifted to the Rialto islands and Torcello slowly emptied.
Today only a handful of people live here. What remains of the old town is the cathedral, a church, a couple of old buildings and quiet paths through meadows, vineyards and canals — the opposite of bustling Venice, with birdsong and rustling reeds along the canal path from the landing.
The cathedral and its mosaics
The treasure is the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639 and rebuilt in the 11th century, with some of Italy's finest Byzantine mosaics. In the apse a tall Virgin and Child stands alone on a gold ground, austere and serene; the opposite west wall is covered by a vast multi-tiered Last Judgement of the 11th–12th centuries.
Beside it rises the bell tower, climbable on foot, with views over the northern lagoon, colourful Burano and, on clear days, the Alps. Next door is the octagonal 11th–12th-century church of Santa Fosca with its arcades, barely changed since.
What to see
- Santa Maria Assunta — 7th century, Byzantine mosaics.
- The apse Virgin — on a gold ground.
- The Last Judgement — on the west wall.
- The bell tower — views of the lagoon and Burano.
- Santa Fosca — octagonal, with arcades.
- The Devil's Bridge — no parapets, on the path from the landing.
Peace and walks
A path runs from the landing along the canal to the cathedral — about 10 minutes past gardens, a few restaurants and footbridges. There are almost no shops, so bring water. Near the cathedral is a famous inn and restaurant where Ernest Hemingway is said to have stayed. Torcello is best in the morning or late afternoon, when the tour groups leave; in summer bring insect repellent.
How to get there
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
Is Torcello worth it?
Yes, for lovers of ancient mosaics and quiet: Torcello's cathedral is one of the lagoon's most powerful sights, with far fewer people than Burano. It's an easy add-on to Murano and Burano, just 5 minutes by water bus. Kids enjoy climbing the tower and finding Attila's throne.
Before you go
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Venice's islands: compare and choose
Islands and canals in Venice rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Bridge of Sighs | 57 | 15 min | Free | 9.4 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rialto Bridge | 56 | 20 min | Free | 9.3 km |
| Grand Canal | 49 | 1 h | Free | 9.5 km |
| Gondola ride | 48 | 40 min | Paid, per boat | 9.5 km |
| Accademia Bridge | 44 | 15 min | Free | 10.2 km |
| San Giorgio Maggiore | 43 | 1 h | Free | 9.7 km |
| Murano | 42 | 3 h | Free | 6.8 km |
| Giudecca | 41 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 10.7 km |
| Peggy Guggenheim Collection | 39 | 1 h 30 min | Paid | 10.1 km |
| Lido di Venezia | 39 | 3 h | Free | 9.7 km |
| Ca' d'Oro | 38 | 1 h | Paid | 9.2 km |
| Burano | 34 | 3 h | Free | 25 min walk |
| Torcelloyou are here | 30 | 2 h | Free | — |
The lagoon islands in a day
Murano's glassblowers, colourful Burano and ancient Torcello.
- Murano3 h · Free; museum paid
- 102 min walk from the previous stopBurano3 h · Free
- 25 min walk from the previous stopTorcelloyou are here2 h · Free; cathedral paid
3 places · about 10 h 7 min with walks · 127 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- 5 minutes by water bus from Burano.
- The cathedral for its mosaics.
- The tower for lagoon views.
- Bring water and insect repellent.
Questions
How do I get to Torcello?
From Burano on vaporetto 9 in about 5 minutes; from Venice, line 12 to Burano and change.
What is there to see on Torcello?
Santa Maria Assunta with its Byzantine mosaics, the bell tower, Santa Fosca and the Devil's Bridge.
How long do you need on Torcello?
About two hours.
Does anyone live on Torcello?
Only a handful of permanent residents; thousands once lived here.
What is Attila's Throne?
An ancient stone chair by the cathedral, linked by legend to the leader of the Huns.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Torcello; Torcello Cathedral
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