Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

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Venini artistic glass.

Overview

Venetian life had its origins in the northern reaches of the lagoon, and when things get too frantic in the city proper, these ancient island settlements remain the best escape. Serious shoppers head to Murano for one-of-a-kind glass art. Others prefer to head to the islands of Burano and Mazzorbo for extended seafood feasts, or to Torcello for glimpses of heaven in the golden mosaics.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Aerial view of Santa Maria di Assunta cathedral on Torcello island in Venice lagoon, Italy

    Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Life choices are presented in no uncertain terms in the dazzling mosaics of the Assumption Basilica. Look ahead to a golden afterlife amid saints and a…

  • Church of Saints Mary and Donato, Murano, Italy

    Basilica dei SS Maria e Donato

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Fire-breathing is the unifying theme of Murano’s medieval church, with its astounding 12th-century gilded-glass apse mosaic of the Madonna made in Murano…

  • Stages of the artisanal processing of Murano glass 478726614 Murano, Oven, Artist, Glass Factory, Kiln, Furnace, Craft, Art, Craft Product, Working, Molten, Creativity, Luxury, Glass - Material, Material, Italian Culture, Manual Worker, Craftsperson, Occupation, Venice - Italy, Veneto, Italy, Workshop, Factory, Work Tool, tradizionale, Artigianale, La Forma

    Murano

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Murano has been the home of Venetian glass-making since the 13th century. Today, artisans continue to ply their trade at workshops dotted around the…

  • Murano Glass Museum SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Murano_Glass_Museum_09.jpg

    Museo del Vetro

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Since 1861, Murano’s glass-making prowess has been celebrated in Palazzo Giustinian, the home of bishops of Torcello from 1689 until the diocese's…

  • Colourful row houses by canal, Burano. burano, cityscape, clear, color, europe, home, house, inviting, italia, italy, row, travel, venice, warm

    Burano

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Burano, with its cheery pastel-coloured houses, is renowned for its handmade lace, which once graced the decolletage and ruffs of European aristocracy…

  • Torcello island, Basilica and Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Venetian-Byzantine style (639), one of the oldest churches in Venice, and the Church of Santa Fosca (IX-XII century), Venice lagoon, UNESCO world heritage site, Veneto, Italy, Europe. 1459295311

    Torcello

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Torcello, the republic's original island settlement, was largely abandoned due to malaria and now counts only around 14 permanent residents. Its mosaic…

  • Italy, Venice, Certosa island, moored boats

    Vento di Venezia

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    La Certosa’s yacht marina complex includes a hotel, an alfresco restaurant-bar and a sailing club, which runs regattas and a summer sail camp for children.

  • Cimitero di San Michele

    Cimitero di San Michele

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Until Napoleon established a city cemetery on this little island, Venetians had been buried in parish plots across town – not an ideal solution in a…

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Articles

Latest stories from Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

A gondola travels under the crowded Ponte della Paglia bridge in Venice.

Architecture

8 ways to avoid breaking Venice's tourist rules

Sep 27, 2019 • 7 min read

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