# Torcello island, Venice > Torcello is a small, quiet island in the northern Venetian lagoon where Venice itself began. Only a handful of people live here now, and among meadows and canals stands the 7th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with superb Byzantine mosaics. It's 5 minutes by water bus from Burano. The island is free; the cathedral and tower need a ticket. Allow two hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello - City: [Venice](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice), Italy - YesGo score: 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h - Opening hours: Cathedral and tower by day; the island any time - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Island free; cathedral and tower ticketed - 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 - Coordinates: 45.49833, 12.41833 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **639** — the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was founded (source: English Wikipedia) - **11th–12th c.** — the Byzantine mosaics were made (source: English Wikipedia) - **Last Judgement** — a huge mosaic on the cathedral's west wall (source: English Wikipedia) - **Devil's Bridge** — an old bridge with no parapets (source: English Wikipedia) - **A handful** — of residents where thousands once lived (source: English Wikipedia) ## A 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. > **Island legends** On the way to the cathedral you cross the old Ponte del Diavolo with no parapets — built, legend says, by the devil himself. By the cathedral stands a stone chair called Attila's Throne: probably an ancient seat for magistrates or the bishop, though legend credits the leader of the Huns. ## 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 1. From [Burano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano) — vaporetto 9, about 5 minutes. 2. From Venice — line 12 from **Fondamente Nove** to Burano, then line 9. 3. From [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) — line 12 to Burano and change. 4. From the landing to the cathedral — 10 minutes along the canal path. ## 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 Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Buy a vaporetto day pass - [ ] Bring water and insect repellent - [ ] Get a cathedral and tower ticket - [ ] Find the Devil's Bridge and Attila's throne - [ ] Combine with Burano and Murano ## Venice's islands: compare and choose Islands and canals in Venice rated by YesGo. - [Bridge of Sighs](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/bridge-of-sighs) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free outside - [Rialto Bridge](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/rialto-bridge) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free - [Grand Canal](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/grand-canal) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; water bus paid - [Gondola ride](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/gondola) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Paid, per boat - [Accademia Bridge](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/accademia-bridge) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free - [San Giorgio Maggiore](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/san-giorgio-maggiore) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; tower paid - [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free; museum paid - [Giudecca](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/giudecca) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free - [Peggy Guggenheim Collection](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/peggy-guggenheim) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Paid - [Lido di Venezia](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/lido) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Ca' d'Oro](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/ca-d-oro) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid - [Burano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Torcello](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; cathedral paid ## The lagoon islands in a day Murano's glassblowers, colourful Burano and ancient Torcello. 1. [Murano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/murano) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free; museum paid 2. [Burano](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/burano) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free 3. [Torcello](https://yesgo.io/italy/venice/torcello) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; cathedral paid ## Don't mix it up Torcello isn't Burano: Burano is the lively island of coloured houses; Torcello, next door, is nearly deserted, with an ancient cathedral and meadows. ## Tips - 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. ## How we checked History, cathedral and mosaics from English Wikipedia. Ticket prices and hours weren't confirmed — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia, Torcello; Torcello Cathedral --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.