The Island of Burano

Submitted by Riccardo Calderara on Wed, 2011-06-01 13:48

In Veneto Art and Culture Italian Style Love and Romance Shopping

Burano, one of the main islands of the Venetian lagoon, famous all over the world for its precious hand-made lace, boasts surprising tranquillity.

The small, brightly coloured homes visible when reaching the island are the distinct feature of the island of Burano, the main centre of the northern area of the Venetian Lagoon.

Burano is famous all over the world for its needlework lace production; a technique developed at the beginning of the 1500’s inspired by fishnets. Around the 1700’s, to compete with the French lace producers who were destroying the base economy of the island, a school and laboratory was opened aimed at learning, preserving and teaching the art of needlework and crochet. Today the school is an extraordinary lace museum, displaying over one hundred works of hand-made lace.

The sixteenth-century church of San Martino Vescovo is close to the museum. Home to artistic treasures, the church is home to one of the most interpreted pieces of the 18th century Venetian art, The Crucifix by Giambattista Tiepolo.

Burano is also home to a renowned fish market; open every day in Campo della Pescheria, offering typical produce of the lagoon.

Today, Burano is the ideal destination for strolling around the narrow lanes home to a feel of remote tranquillity and surprising intimacy. At sunset, when the day-trippers have gone, peace and quiet returns to the island.

Among the many marvellous islands scattered around Venice, Murano and Burano stand out boasting beauty and particular features. Both islands can be visited on the same day without wearing yourself out; to organise a tour of the islands, have a read of the Murano Island guide.

How to get to Burano: Embark opposite the entrance to Santa Lucia di Venezia train station, with departures approx. every 10 minutes, or either embark at Piazzale Roma.