Torcello
Torcello is the smallest and least inhabited of the islands, where time really stands still. Visitors can get a real sense of the history of the lagoon on this tiny, sleepy island. in fact, Torcello was the first island of the lagoon inhabited by settlers fleeing the mainland at the end of the Roman empire. In the 7th century Torcello became the official seat of the bishop and remained so for a thousand years. One of the main attractions of the island is the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta perhaps the most ancient of the Venetian churches decorated in Byzantine style with beautiful 12th century mosaics. Guided tours of the Basilica are possible and there is a small fee to climb the bell tower.
The Torcello Museum is housed in the only remaining palazzos on the island, which were once the seat of government. There are a number of archaeological finds from the late Roman, Byzantine and Medieval period. Visitors will be struck by an ancient stone chair, affectionately known as Attila’s Throne. Although it is later than Attila, it may have been the bishop’s throne, or the seat where chief magistrates were inaugurated. Although Torcello was an active and busy trading post in the Medieval period, by the 14th century the shifting floor of the lagoon meant that traders could no longer stop at Torcello and over time the island was mostly abandoned.
Today only a handful of families live there which is why it feels like time stands still. Although many famous artists and writers have stayed on the island for its sleepy charms including Ernest Hemingway and Daphne du Maurier.
There are a few excellent restaurants on Torcello that serve typical Venetian dishes, most inspired and influenced by the fish in the lagoon.
Getting there: The LN Water Bus line runs from Fondamenta Nuovo or San Zaccaria to Torcello (approximately 50 minutes)
You can also take the vaporetto from Burano, vaporetto line 9 runs between the two islands every half hour from 8:00 until 20:30.