If you’ve ever flown into Venice’s main airport, you will have been treated to the incredible sight of the Venetian lagoon, dotted with islands large and small. Venice is of course the biggest and most well known, but there are many other Venetian islands to explore. These islands are just as captivating as Venice and offer visitors a different perspective of Venetian life, away from the crowds.
We love the Venetian islands, so come with us as we explore what makes these islands of Venice so special:
An Introduction to the Venetian Islands Italy
The Venetian lagoon has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, in recognition of its unique ecosystem and cultural importance. Connected to the Adriatic Sea, the lagoon has existed for thousands of years but it was only in relatively recent history that people created permanent settlements on the islands.
The Early Venetian Islands
The earliest archeological finds in the lagoon suggest that it was used as an ancient place to hunt and fish but was not a place to live. Slowly the connection to the sea was strengthened and the lagoon started to become a significant port. Canals were built to connect villages further inland to the water and trade was increasing.
The ancient Romans built a port near the modern island of Chioggia and other Roman artefacts have been discovered on the islands of Torcello and Mazzorbo, but there was still not a large number of people living here.
This all changed in the 5th century. The Western Roman Empire was disintegrating and people from outside the empire’s boundaries were encroaching on what was previously protected land. The Goths, originating in east Germany, were pressing down south into Italy and people living inland were desperate to escape.
They headed for the coast and the relative protection of the lagoon. The Goths, then later the Huns and Lombards, were generally more concerned with major cities and power centers and did not pay attention to the people who had fled to the islands on the lagoon.
Power and Wealth
Over time these people solidified their presence and the foundation of the powerful Venetian Republic emerged. Trade had always been a huge part of life for the people living in the Venice lagoon and as this expanded, so did the wealth of the islands.
The first Basilica di San Marco was built in the 9th century on what would become the future Piazza San Marco, and the leadership position of Doge was established at the end of the 7th century.
It was not just the main island of Venice that was important. Chioggia at the southern end of the lagoon maintained its importance as both a port and also a major salt producer, with its own Grand Canal. Torcello was inhabited before Venice and was the location of a major cathedral and its own diocese. On the island of Lido di Venezia, the town of Malamocco had a heritage stretching back to before ancient Rome, the home of a major port and fortifications thanks to its position facing the open sea.
The Venetian Islands Today
The power of Venice started to fade in the 16th century after a series of European conflicts left the republic weaker and surrounded by enemies. A series of devastating plagues also swept through the lagoon, leaving some islands essentially uninhabited with so many people dying. The waters of the lagoon also changed, leading to some islands being deserted as they were no longer safe to live on.
Despite all these developments, people continued to adapt and work with the lagoon. All around Venice islands continue to be integral parts of the special ecosystem that exists here. You will see people fishing using traditional methods, sailing on boats that haven’t changed in centuries and preserving local crafts and food.
While the fortune of some of the islands in the Venice lagoon has changed significantly, they remain an important part of the story of the historic city. The twists and turns of history are one of the main reasons we love the islands so much, and why we encourage as many Venice visitors as possible to see at least a few of them!
How to Explore the Islands of the Venetian Lagoon
Okay, so you’ve followed our advice and are thinking about heading out to one or more of the Venice islands. The next question is how to do this?
Luckily it is pretty easy to reach even some of the minor islands from Venice. Unsurprisingly, going by boat is the best and fastest way to explore the Venetian lagoon. While you can arrange private boat transfers or water taxis, we find jumping on a vaporetto (Venice’s water bus network) is just as convenient.
Routes to the Venetian Islands
The boat to Burano takes around an hour but the scenery is stunning. On one side of the route is the mainly agricultural island of Sant’Erasmo and on the other is the edge of Lido di Jesolo. This is also the route to take for Torcello, which involves a second boat from Burano. Murano is much closer to Venice, part of an island cluster to the north, so the journey to see where Murano glass is made is a simple one.
Fancy a beach day? Take a vaporetto to the Lido di Venezia main port area and then walk or take a bus to the beaches that stretch out along the coast, facing the Adriatic Sea. There is also a good beach at Sottomarina next to Chioggia, but this is a longer journey as it is right at the edge of the Venetian lagoon to the south.
Chioggia is like a mini-Venice (only missing the crowds!) so we think it’s worth the trip. The quickest route is by car around the edge of the lagoon on the mainland, but for a more truly Venetian experience, take the water bus to Lido di Venezia. From here there is a local bus that goes all the way down the narrowing island to the town of Malamocco and the island of Pellestrina. The final leg of the journey is a boat to Chioggia – yes, it’s a lot, but the travel is part of the adventure!
Murano
Of all the islands of Venice, Murano is probably the most well-known thanks to the stunning Murano glass.
Murano Glass
Glass making is an incredibly ancient art, originating in the lands of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. In most places, glass was bought and traded but the ancient Romans started the production of their own glass items.
This ancient legacy was built on in Venice, with the city’s traders and merchants being in close contact with the glass being produced in the Middle East. Inspired by the quality of the work, the Venetians started ramping up production of their own glass, using the techniques they had seen on their travels.
Glass factories were originally located on multiple islands of Venice, but regular fires resulting from the high temperatures involved in production caused the city to take a drastic step. In 1291, it was decreed that all glass factories were to be transferred to the island of Murano, already a major center for glass making.
Not only were all the factories in one place, the glass makers were made to live on the island permanently. They could not leave without a permit and were not allowed to share their methods or ideas with anyone on pain of death to preserve the quality and uniqueness of the Murano products.
While this seems extreme to us today, these steps mean that the traditional methods of producing glass have been preserved and are still followed now! Murano glass is famous for its elaborate decorations, vibrant colors and intricate details – when you see it, you can understand why the Venetians were so desperate to keep the process a secret!
What to Do and See on Murano
Of course you have to learn more about the Murano glassmaking industry when you visit. There are multiple glass factories on the seven smaller islands that together make up Murano, where you can see how the glass is made and speak to some of the craftspeople keeping the old traditions alive.
We also love the Museo del Vetro, the Glass Museum, where you can learn more about the history of glass making and see some fascinating pieces of glass work. Plus the museum is housed inside a beautiful palazzo which has some impressive examples of the famous Murano chandeliers.
If you’re interested in purchasing some glass pieces for yourself you will find many shops selling the authentic product, but simply strolling the canal-side streets and window shopping is also a lot of fun!
Other than learning about the glass of Murano, you can also visit one of the oldest churches on any of the Venetian islands; the Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato. Originally built in the 7th century, the last major restoration took place in the 12th century giving the church a stunning Romanesque makeover. The facade is beautiful, but inside are some fantastic examples of Byzantine mosaics as well as some of the original 12th century mosaic flooring.
Burano
You’ve probably seen pictures of Burano without realizing it – those brightly colored houses alongside a canal? Yep, that is Burano!
Further away from Venice than Murano and historically home to a community of fishermen, Burano is also famous for its intricate, hand-sewn lace making industry.
Burano Lace
Going back hundreds of years, Burano lace has been one of the most sought-after fabrics. The lace is hand-sewn using thin threads in complicated patterns, taking an extremely long time to complete. Both the quality of the end product and the time taken to create the beautiful lace mean that it is very expensive.
This was always the case, with Burano lace being popular with Europe’s aristocracy and royal families. Members of the English Tudor royal household had items commissioned, and Catherine de’Medici of Florence popularized the lace in France when she married the French king.
The historic craft was almost extinct in the 19th century after fashion changed and cheaper alternatives became more available. It was revived in the 1870’s however when elderly residents passed on their knowledge and now Burano lace is once again the go-to option.
The exact origins of the lace making tradition are not clear, but it is thought that the thin threads and detailed patterns were inspired by the fishermen’s nets that were constantly being made on Burano. Today the traditional lace making methods have been preserved and you can see many examples of the pretty lace on display around the island.
What to Do and See on Burano
As well as browsing the lace stores for something special to take home, keep an eye out for women working on lace pieces. Watching them work you will realize why the end product costs as much as it does!
You also have to wander the canals and admire the brightly colored houses. Traditionally the reason for these vibrant colors was to help fishermen identify their home from the water through the thick fog which is common in Burano. Today the colored houses are protected by a local law that ensures the owners maintain the bright colors, meaning that each one has been carefully looked after.
These houses have become an Instagram sensation, with many people jumping off the boat, taking a quick picture at the main intersection and then getting back on. We prefer to walk a little further, admiring each one in turn and seeing more of the authentic Burano along its canals – these houses are just as colorful!
In addition to seeing the Burano lace and colored houses, don’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the local cookies; the Bussolà Buranello. Made in both round and s-shaped cookies, they are high-calorie and dense, designed to last a while for the fishermen out at sea. Sweet and vanilla flavored, a bussolà is perfect with an espresso.
Finally, make sure to see the leaning bell tower of the San Martino church. Not quite as angled as the Tower of Pisa, this one is still pretty obviously leaning thanks to the unstable foundations.
Torcello
Unlike Murano and Burano which both have significant local populations, Torcello has very few residents. It therefore offers visitors a completely different perspective of the Venetian islands, and is one of our favorite places to visit on the lagoon.
Originally Torcello was one of the first islands in the lagoon to be inhabited, well before Venice itself, with thousands of residents at one point. A cathedral was built in the 7th century and the local diocese was moved here, with there being bishops of Torcello for hundreds of years. The cathedral was rebuilt and expanded in the 11th century and the island was at the center of wool production in the area.
However, while other Venetian islands thrived and expanded their population, Torcello started to decline from the 14th century onwards. Wool production slowed and a succession of terrible plagues had severely reduced the number of people living on Torcello. Combined with an increase in malaria and canals silting up thanks to changes in the water levels of the lagoon, Torcello was no longer capable of sustaining a larger population.
The island was left to slowly fall into ruin. Some people still lived here but by the 1800’s there were less than a hundred residents left. This number has gone down even further and today there are less than twenty people still officially living on Torcello.
The remnants of Torcello’s past have survived however, giving the island an evocative atmosphere. When we step off the boat onto the island and walk into the old town there is something incredibly special about seeing this glimpse into the past.
What to Do and See on Torcello
Exploring Torcello is all about connecting with the island’s past. Much of Torcello is now a nature reserve, so you can walk along the various paths that criss-cross the land.
You must give yourself time to see the main piazza, which is where you will find some extremely impressive reminders of Torcello’s former glory. The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the 7th century, with the bell tower being added in the 11th century.
Inside you will find astonishingly beautiful mosaics from the Byzantine period. The mosiac of the Madonna with tears on her cheeks is unlike anything we’ve seen elsewhere, and the Last Judgement depiction is stark and intentionally terrifying.
Outside the cathedral you’ll also see the Throne of Attila. Once thought to have been made for the leader of the Huns, Attila, the stone chair was probably for use by the local bishop. In the same piazza is another very old church, dedicated to Santa Fosca, and the museum of Torcello inside an old palazzo.
Join Us In The Venetian Islands
As you can see, there is a lot to see and do on the different Venetian islands, and we’d love to explore them with you! Rather than navigating the public transportation, enjoy a fun day out on the water with us in a private water taxi hopping between Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Find out more about this special experience here or get in touch if you’d like to create your own Venetian islands adventure.
