San Michele Cemetery
Flickr, Paul 'Tuna' Turner
San Michele (Italian: San Michele) is the island of Saint Michael the Archangel in Venice (Italy). For a long time, a monastery was located in the fortress on the island, then a prison, but by order of Napoleon I the island was transformed in 1807 into the sole burial place for Venetians. The cemetery has three sections: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant.
There’s so much interesting to tell about the city on the water and its famous islands! And we do! :) Download the Venice audio guide in the Ever.Travel mobile app and be amazed at how many secrets, legends, and stunning facts the pearl of Italy can reveal to you!
Murano Island
Flickr, Documentary & Travel Photography
Murano (Italian: Murano) is one of the large islands of the Venetian Lagoon. It is located two kilometers north of Rialto Island. The island is often called “little Venice.” The island is connected to the central part of Venice by vaporetto lines. Beginning in the 16th century, the island was a place of entertainment for Venetians. Villas, gardens, and fountains were located on the island. The island is world-famous for its glassmaking production. In 1291, the city council decided to move the workshops producing decorative items to Murano in order to protect the masters’ secrets from competitors and eliminate fires that could be caused by the masters’ red-hot furnaces. Glassblowers received unheard-of privileges, but were deprived of the right to leave. The daughters of glassblowers were permitted to marry Venetians of noble blood.
Burano Island
Flickr, Wang Guowen (gw.wang)
Burano (Italian: Burano) is an island quarter of Venice, located 7 km from the city center, next to Torcello, with a population of 2724 residents (2011). It is known for its brightly painted houses. Since the 16th century, it has specialized in lace production. The technology of lace-making is believed to have been brought by the Venetians from the Eastern Mediterranean. The famous composer Galuppi was born in Burano. Until 1923, Burano was considered a city separate from Venice, just like Murano.
Flickr, dmmaus
Today it is hard to believe, but from the 5th to the 11th centuries Torcello was the most densely populated island in the Venetian lagoon. Its favorable location helped it prosper and conduct successful trade with Constantinople. However, in the 12th century the harbor of Torcello silted up and turned into a foul-smelling swamp. Maritime trade died down, and the inhabitants fled from malaria to other islands. Today no more than a hundred locals live here, and tourists usually end up on Torcello by accident – stopping by on the way from its more famous neighbor – the island of Burano.
However, there is at least one reason to visit this quiet island. The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is located here and is considered one of the oldest in Venice. If the inscription preserved on one of the walls of the basilica is to be believed, it was founded by the exarch Isaac of Ravenna as far back as 639!
As you probably understand, however, this church has undergone significant changes since those times. Chronicles recorded two major reconstructions of the building, dating to 864-867 and 1008. It is believed that since then neither the exterior appearance nor the internal layout of the cathedral has changed much right up to the present day.
We strongly recommend that you visit the island of Torcello and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in order to admire this unique church, baptistery, bell tower, and the magnificent ensemble of Byzantine mosaics — one of the finest in northern Italy.
