Torcello Island, Venice
Torcello
Venice, Italy
An island of peace and tranquility with Byzantine mosaics and a famous hotel frequented by film stars and royalty
About
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.
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.
Santa Maria Assunta
The Cathedral 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 church 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 below).
The skull of Saint Cecilia is also kept as a relic here.
Image: Ismoon (talk) , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Locanda Cipriani
Torcello has a claim to fame through the Locanda Cipriani where a long list of notables such as Queen Elizabeth II, Marc Chagall, Paul Newman, Julia Roberts, Princess Diana, Elton John, Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg have either dined here or stayed in the locanda. Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River and Into the Trees here.
Information
WATER BUS STOP
ACTV line 12 direct from F.te Nove to Torcello. ACTV line 9 from Burano.
10 minute canalside walk to the town
TORCELLO LOCATION
VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS ACCOMODATION
Hotels & Apartments
Murano
Hotels & Apartments
Burano
Hotels & Apartments
Lido di Venezia
Hotels & Apartments
Giudecca
Hotels & Apartments
VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS MAP
With Place Markers
LAGOON ISLAND AND VENICE TOURS & ACTIVITIES
From Get Your Guide
Murano & Burano Islands Boat Tour
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Private Boat Tour
Guided Tour of Burano Island
Grand Canal, Murano and Burano Half-Day Boat Tour
Murano: Glass Lampwork Workshop and Walking Tour
Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan
Private Yacht Tour and Glass Blowing Demonstration
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Vaporetto Guided Tour
San Michele Cemetery Island Vaporetto & Walking Tour
Giudecca Island Discover Walking Tour
Catamaran Sunset Jazz Cruise with Aperitivo
5-Kilometer Sunset Kayaking Class with Gear
All ratings November 2023. E&EO. Images are indicative of the activity but may not be of the tour.