Tourist Information on Torcello Island
The Island of Torcello, is one of the main three-islands visited by tourists along with Murano and Burano. The furthest of the three from Venice , that means if you are taking public transportation to visit all three island you'll end up consuming 6 or more hours of your time in Venice.
A good and cheap alternative might be to take a three-island boat tour which operates daily at 9.30 and 2.30 pm lasting three hours to give you an idea of what the islands have to offer.
Once the commercial capital of Venice , nowadays Torcello boasts a population of only 60 people. Deserted, the island boasts two main attractions: the Venetian-Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta founded in the 7 th Century was Venice 's first cathedral.
Rebuilt in the 11 th it contains magnificent Byzantine mosaics. One of the highlights of the church's rich decorations can be found on the west wall with a vast mosaic featuring the Last Judgement, but the cathedrals great treasure is the Mosaic of the Madonna in the semi-dome of the apse. Starkly set on a pure gold background, the figure has been hailed by many as one of the most stunning works of Byzantine art in Italy .
The cathedral is open daily from 10 - 12.30 am , and from 2pm until 6.30 pm . If you plan to tour the three-islands by public transportation plan to get either an early start, or plan to visit them in the afternoon. The last thing you want to happen is to arrive after a 90 minute journey at Tronchetto to find the church closed.
Close to the church you'll find the Museum of Torcello which recounts the story of the Island over the centuries. Open from Tuesdays until Sunday from 10am – 12.30 am and 2pm until 6.30pm . Also note that close to the Cathedral is the tiny church of Santa Fosca which was founded in the 11 th Century to house the remains of Saint Fosca.
Apart from the cathedral, the other main attraction for tourists visiting the Island of Torcello is taking lunch as the celebrated Cipirianni restaurant. For those looking for a special experience amongst the Venetian Island we can arrange private guided boat tours of the Islands , along with a delicious lunch at this celebrated eatery.
How to get to Torcello:
• Public Transportation - The island can be reached by public transportation by taking the # 12 water-bus from Fondamenta Nuove or the # 14 from San Zaccaria from nearby to St Marks.
• Three-Island Boat Tour
• Private Boat tour of the Lagoon
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