The island of Burano, in the northern lagoon of Venice. Let's start by remembering it for four characteristics, or rather for four elements that make it famous in Italy and beyond. Let's start from lace. A real work of art made with needle on a predefined design, a typical creation of this island whose origins date back to the sixteenth century. Saying Burano also means saying color, the second typicality of this locality considered one of the top ten among the most colorful in the world. A walk along its banks and its streets is like an immersion in a painter's palette, so many are the liveliness and variety of colors that characterize the facades of his houses.
A hint of music, the third element to remember Burano, where the eighteenth century musician and composer Baldassare Galuppi, called "Buranello". But also, to come to our days, to the singer-songwriter Pino Donaggio who was born in Burano in 1941, famous not only for his songs but also for his career in the world of cinema as a composer. The soundtracks of many successful films bear his signature. Gastronomy remains to be remembered, the fourth characteristic element of this extreme strip of land of the northern lagoon. Fish-based dishes of course, but also a typical dessert from these parts. Let's talk about the characteristic esse biscuits, also called bussolà of Burano if instead of a they have the shape of a small donut. Lots of eggs, flour, sugar and butter, these are the ingredients of the typical dessert of the island which has two main characteristics: to be very nutritious and, if well preserved, to last for a long time. In fact, it is thought that the wives of fishermen originally prepared it for the long periods that their husbands spent at sea, away from home.
In nearby Torcello the throne of Attila
So far the four excellences of the island of Burano, of which historically we begin to talk when it welcomed the populations fleeing from the nearby mainland due to the arrival of the barbarians. And from here its history begins, as well as that of the nearby islands of Mazzorbo and Torcello. The most important was Torcello which, going to Burano, is absolutely worth a visit and where, in the first half of the seventh century, the bishopric of Altino (at the time the main Roman city in the area) was transferred after the invasions of the Huns and Lombards.
Part of the population also arrived here, giving life to the first large settlement in the Venice lagoon. Today Torcello is an island of vegetable gardens and with a few dozen inhabitants. There you can breathe a magical atmosphere. To see the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (its origins date back to 639). The bell tower of the eleventh century, the church of Santa Fosca, always from the same period. And the legendary throne of Attila, as it is commonly known. Carved out of stone, it dates back to the XNUMXth century and was probably used by the civil and religious authorities who ruled at the time.
In Burano, the Lace Museum, a treasure trove of extraordinary works of great value
Let's go back to the picturesque island of Burano. The name probably derives from one of the gates of the ancient Altino, the Porta Boreana. In this very characteristic context we can distinguish the deconsecrated church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (known as the Cappuccine), the parish church of San Martino, with works from the Venetian school and also a crucifixion by Gianbattista Tiepolo, and the characteristic Campanile Storto. In Piazza Maggiore you can see the statue dedicated to the musician Baldassare Galuppi and, to visit, the School and the Museum Lace.
Over one hundred precious specimens from the rich collection of the School are exhibited and important evidence of the production of lace in Venice from the 45th to the XNUMXth century. A treasure trove of extraordinary works of great value. From Venice you can easily reach Burano by public transport. And the journey - about XNUMX minutes starting from the Fondamente Nove landing place - by vaporetto is really beautiful. A small cruise in the north lagoon, in a truly unique landscape and naturalistic environment.
