Torcello Island, Venice
Torcello
The island of Torcello in Venice Lagoon
An island of peace and tranquility with Byzantine mosaics and a famous hotel frequented by film stars and royalty
About the Island of Torcello
If you like peace and tranquility, Torcello is the place. One of the least-visited islands, for many it’s a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of Venice.
Torcello is situated on the northern side of the Venetian lagoon, near to Burano. It is described as the ‘cradle of Venice’, being the first island to be inhabited.
There are a variety of things to see and do here in including museums, the amazing mosaics in the Cathedral and restaurants including one frequented by stars of stage and screen, Locanda Cipriani.
Torcello Page Index
Transport/Getting to Torcello & Visitor Information
Torcello Vaporetto/waterbus stop and tickets along with location
Torcello Vaporetto/waterbus stop and tickets along with location
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
All about the Basilica, its mosaics and general information
– Basilica Opening Times & Tickets
All about the Basilica, its mosaics and general information
– Basilica Opening Times & Tickets
Locanda Cipriani
The most famous restaurant/hotel whose guest included pop stars and royalty
The most famous restaurant/hotel whose guest included pop stars and royalty
Ponte del Diavolo
The Devil’s Bridge in Torcello
The Devil’s Bridge in Torcello
Museum of Torcello
From bronzes and Roman artifacts to 13th century gilded silver
– Torcello Museum Opening Times
From bronzes and Roman artifacts to 13th century gilded silver
– Torcello Museum Opening Times
Dining on Torcello
Where to eat on Torcello with sample menus
Where to eat on Torcello with sample menus
Transport/Getting to Torcello
Image: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Nearest Waterbus Vaporetto Stop ACTV line 12 direct from F.te Nove (Venice) to Torcello. ACTV line 9 from Burano. It’s then a 10 minute canalside walk to the town |
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Vaporetto Timetables View vaporetto/waterbus timetables here ➤ |
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Vaporetto Tickets Buy vaporetto/waterbus tickets ➤ |
| Google Map Location |
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
Image: Gennadii Saus i Segura, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the oldest church in the Venetian lagoon, built around the year 1000 (although one stood here before it from 600AD). The church is a classic example of Venetian-Byzantine architecture and features stunning Byzantine mosaics.
The Basilica has the earliest remaining mosaics in the neighbourhood of Venice.
The main apse has an 11th-century mosaic of the Virgin Hodegetria, isolated against a huge gold background.
The west wall contains what, for many is the masterpiece of the church, the Last Judgement mosaic (picture here).
The skull of Saint Cecilia is also kept as a relic here.
Basilica Opening Times
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Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral Torcello
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Spring/Summer/Autumn Opening Hours March 1 – October 31 10.30 am – 6.00pm (last admission 5:30 pm) |
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Winter Opening Hours November 1 – February 29 10.00 am – 5.00pm (last admission 4:30 pm) |
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Basilica tickets (buy at the Basilica) €5.00 (€4.00 under 10 or over 65) |
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Belltower tickets (buy at the Basilica) €5.00 (€4.00 under 10 or over 65)) |
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Audioguide €2.00 |
| Dress and behavior must be respectful of the area; please ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. | |
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Closed: 25th of December and 1st of January |
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Location Google Map |
Locanda Cipriani
Image: Locanda Cipriani, Torcello
Locanda Cipriani on Torcello is both a restaurant and hotel that is both very highly rated and well reviewed.
Locanda Cipriani’s claim to fame is hosting various famous people over the years. These include Queen Elizabeth II, Marc Chagall, Paul Newman, Julia Roberts, Princess Diana, Elton John, Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg. All have either dined here or stayed in the locanda.
In addition, Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River and Into the Trees here.
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Website and menu |
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Location Google map |
Ponte del Diavolo
Image: Godromil, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The legend of the Devil’s Bridge (in brief) is that a Venetian girl fell in love with an Austrian soldier (the Austrians were invading Italy at that time). For this treacherous act, she was banished from Venice.
A while passes and the girl learns that her boyfiend has been murdered.
She return to Venice, meets a witch and they enter into a pact with the devil – return her boyfriend in exchange for the souls of seven Christian children. The location of the exchange would be the Devil’s Bridge.
At the chosen time, the girl and the witch cross the bridge while the witch invokes the devil. The devil makes the boyfriend appear at the other side of the bridge, the girl crosses and together they disappear together.
The second half of the pact was what the witch had to pay – the seven souls on the Devil’s Bridge on December 24th. Alas, the witch was murdered before the exchange by a young man who wanted to save the souls of the children.
Legend has it that every December 24th the devil appears on the Devil’s Bridge to get his payment and appears in the form of a black cat.
Museum of Torcello
Image: Muve Venzia
Torcello museum holds collections related to Venice’s millennia-old history.
The collections are divided into two main areas: the archaeological collection and the medieval and modern collection.
The archeological collection has artifacts including ceramics, protohistoric bronzes, and Roman artifacts related to religious and daily life.
The medieval/modern collection tells the story of Torcello from the early centuries of the Christian era to the 19th century. In this collection are sculptures and paintings from a 13th-century gilded silver altarpiece to works of art, ceramics, coins, glass, and other items that show a picture of daily life and economic activities in ancient Torcello.
Museum of Torcello Opening Times
Image: Muve VenziaAlberto-g-rovi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Torcello Museum Information
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Spring/Summer Opening Hours 1st April to 31st October 11.00am to 5.30pm |
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Autumn /Winter Opening Hours 1st November to 31st March 11.00am to 5.00pm |
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Entrance Fee (buy on the door)
€7.00 (€3.50 reduced)
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Location Google Map |
Dining on Torcello
Image: Osteria al Ponte del Diavolo
The famous Locanda Cipriani‘s menu includes “Castraure” Artichokes from Torcello, Lagoon Eel, oven baked, and served with Roasted Potatoes and Classic Venetian thick pasta tossed with slow-cooked onions and anchovy sauce.
Osteria al Ponte del Diavolo offers contemporary yet traditional cuisine, based on local, seasonal ingredients. Sampe dishes include purple potato gnocchi with clams, fresh vegetables and mullet bottarga, Baked sea bass of the day with summer vegetables, cherry tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes and spring onions and more.
Located in a 17th century farmhouse, Villa Seicento offers local grown products and is part of the Slow Food movement. The menu may include Risotto with Scampi, Zucchini Flowers and Pomelo, Homemade spiral ravioli filled with cod, pea cream and crispy Sauris bacon and Turbot Fillet in a Potato Crust with Pak Choi and Salicornia Sauce.
Sample dishes from Ristorante al Trono di Attila’s menu include fish-based first courses: fish and artichoke lasagna, and seafood spaghetti amongst others.
Venice Lagoon Islands Accommodation
Murano
Hotels & Apartments
Burano
Hotels & Apartments
Lido di Venezia
Hotels & Apartments
Venice Lagoon Islands Tours
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