Murano, Burano & The Northern Islands - Venice and the Veneto - page 392

Witnessing artistry in action at the glass-blowing showrooms in Murano a nd reward-
ing their originality by making purchases.
Basking in sun and culinary glory on the vineyard patio at Venissa or beneath the rose
pergola at Locanda Cipriani .
Watching colourful houses wiggle with delight at their reflections in the canals of
Burano .
Exploring religious retreats, off-the-beaten track beaches and ruined Forte
Sant'Andrea by sailboat, barge or batèla .
Explore Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
A multitude of small islands dot the northern lagoon, shards of greenery splintering off the
mainland. The earliest Venetian refugees were able to island-hop to safety on Torcello in
the 5th century when Mongol hordes threatened to overwhelm the Roman stronghold of
Altinum. There they raised the first church of the lagoon, Santa Maria Assunta, decorating
it with glittering mosaics telling cautionary tales in over a million handcut glass tesserae .
As vivid as these mosaics, the glass workshops of Murano continue to conjure writhing
chandeliers, swirling goblets and gem-bright jewellery from their red-hot furnaces, tempt-
ing a more modern type of pilgrim. Between these two islands you'll pass the haunting
cemetery of San Michele, lagoon gardens on Sant'Erasmo and colourful fishers' houses
on Burano - and with fresh seafood, island-grown vegetables and even local vineyards,
you'll want to linger longer on the lagoon.
Local Life
» Picnics Lunch is a highlight of sunny northern lagoon days, even without reserva-
tions at Venissa ( Click here ). Pack a picnic to enjoy on Mazzorbo, in the meadow behind
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta ( Click here ) on Torcello, or among the picturesque ruins
of Forte Sant'Andrea on Le Vignole.