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All Italy Venice Torcello

Torcello

The small peaceful island off the Venice tourist circuit is where the city began more than 1,500 years ago.

Venice, Italy

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Patrick
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Torcello.   Atlas Obscura user mgtd1953
Torcello.   Atlas Obscura user mgtd1953
Torcello.   Atlas Obscura user mgtd1953
small shrine   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
Down Town   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
A vision   Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
While walking around the town   Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
From the bell tower   Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
fields and canals of Torcello as viewed from the bell tower   Braecrest / Atlas Obscura User
much more space and greenery than Venice   Braecrest / Atlas Obscura User
Baptistery.   kiwi vitis / Atlas Obscura User
View from the campanile in Torcello.   rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Torcello.   rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Torcello.   petrolwife / Atlas Obscura User
Torcello.   petrolwife / Atlas Obscura User
The devil’s bridge on Torcello.   rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Torcello.   rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Basilica di Santa Maria Asunta.   kiwi vitis / Atlas Obscura User
Houses near the vaporetto station.   kiwi vitis / Atlas Obscura User
Torcello.   Atlas Obscura user mgtd1953
Torcello.   petrolwife / Atlas Obscura User
View from the campanile   spadaadjusting / Atlas Obscura User
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Quiet and green outside the hustle of the big city   jeanlikestotravel / Atlas Obscura User
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About

After you have visited all of the mandatory sites in Venice, you may want to spend some time in a more laid-back, peaceful atmosphere. Torcello is a small island in the North Lagoon of Venice, just beyond Burano and Murano, and it has a rich history. Torcello is believed to be where the city of Venice began more than 1,500 years ago.

Once heavily populated, with over 20,000 residents, Torcello rivaled Venice as the primary port and trading center in the region. Unfortunately for Torcello, their canals started to silt up, leading to shipping declines and massive mosquito outbreaks. Most residents left for Venice to escape malaria and to find employment. They also took the stones from their houses with them leaving just a handful of structures and the basilica behind. The island now has less than a dozen full-time residents.

The primary attractions include a Byzantine-Italian cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, and an adjacent church complete with a campanile (bell tower) that, with an easy climb, offers a great view of the entire area. There is also a small archaeological museum occupying the old council chambers.

 

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Islands

Know Before You Go

You can reach Torcello from Venice on the Number 12 vaporetto (water bus) line, which also serves nearby Murano and Burano. Check the schedule.

Entry to the basilica costs €5 with an €4 to climb the bell tower. Be aware that there may be no ATMs on the island during the off season so it's best to withdraw cash beforehand.

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Community Contributors

Added By

mgtd1953

Edited By

miramarco, drengur, Braecrest, Meg...

  • miramarco
  • drengur
  • Braecrest
  • Meg
  • kiwi vitis
  • rbenn250
  • Ursula
  • petrolwife
  • mocchiatto
  • spadaadjusting
  • Julius Spada
  • jeanlikestotravel

Published

November 15, 2016

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Sources
  • https://historyandarchaeologyonline.com/torcello-the-rise-and-fall-of-venices-forgotten-rival/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcello
Torcello
6 Str. della Rosina
Venice
Italy
45.496306, 12.415255
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Nearby Places

Attila's Throne

Venice, Italy

miles away

Torcello Bell Tower

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miles away

The Mad Colored Houses of Burano

Venice, Italy

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Venice

Venice

Italy

Places 34
Stories 14

Nearby Places

Attila's Throne

Venice, Italy

miles away

Torcello Bell Tower

Venice, Italy

miles away

The Mad Colored Houses of Burano

Venice, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Venice

Venice

Italy

Places 34
Stories 14

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