What to see on Burano Island, colorful houses in the Venice Lagoon

If in your trip to Venice If you plan to enjoy several days of stay, it is definitely worth taking a vaporetto to make a excursion to the northern islands of the lagoon.

On this excursion you will have the opportunity to visit several islands that offer you very interesting corners.

This is the case, for example, of the Torcello island, where you can visit its byzantine cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Venice.

En Murano You will be able to delve deeper into the artisanal blowing technique to make their famous Murano glass.

And as for the island that is the protagonist of this article, BuranoDuring your visit you can walk through very picturesque corners where the great color of its fishermen's houses will catch your attention.

Curiosities of the history of Burano

Name "Burano"comes from the ancient Roman name"Portus Buranus“, which refers to the port near the island, and over time evolved into the current Burano.

In the 6th century the island was occupied by people from the coastal city of Altino, who have traditionally dedicated themselves to fishing in the Venetian lagoon.

These fishermen built their simple and light houses on stilts, wooden stakes that thus allow the houses to be placed on the lagoon.

En Burano, During the Republic of Venice 8.000 inhabitants once lived there, although now it has no more than 3.000 residents.

The best things to see and do on Burano Island

Currently, in your visit of Burano island, In the Venice lagoon, you will find streets through the center of which canals run, and a succession of houses whose facades have been painted with very striking colors, all very careful.

The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when fishermen painted their homes with bright colors to distinguish them among the dense fog of the lagoon.

As a consequence, today during your visit you can enjoy corners of great beauty and color.

Its main street, Via Baldassare Galuppi, which always has a great tourist atmosphere, ends in the central plaza of the island, the Galuppi square.

Church San Martino Vescovo in Burano

In this square you can see the church of San Martino Vescovo, with its characteristic leaning Tower, as well as a sculpture of the 18th century musician Baldassare Galuppi, originally from the island.

Built in the 17th century, the bell tower of the church of San Martino Vescovo in Burano It has a height of 53 meters, and after giving up the land, it has produced an inclination of almost two meters.

The tilt is believed to have been caused by movements of the island's marshy soil, and despite its appearance, the tower has stood the test of time and remains a prominent landmark on the island.

Historically, at the top of the tower there was a sculpture of an angel, but it fell after a storm in 1867.

This is one of the clearest examples we find in our visit to Venice of the effects of time on the characteristic constructions on wooden logs, called stilt houses, made to gain space for the lagoon.

Another similar example is the tower inclined for the orthodox church of San Giorgio de Greci, in the district of Castle, in the city of Venice.

La church of San Martino Vescovo It was completed in 1488, although over the years it underwent numerous reconstructions, such as the one carried out in 1918 after a fire.

The interior of the church is accessed through a Renaissance-style portico, and it highlights the painting “The Cruxification” by Tiepolo.

Burano Lace Museum

Burano is famous for his traditional lace, a meticulous craft that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries.

According to legend, a young woman from Burano was captivated by the beauty of a spider that wove a delicate web, and inspired by this, she began creating lace with needles and threads.

Nowadays, burano lace They are considered works of art and can be purchased as souvenirs.

In the same square is the Museum of Merletto, with a wide lace exhibition, a craft activity that in the 16th century made the island of Burano famous throughout Europe as one of the main production centers.

Antique and contemporary pieces are displayed here, and live demonstrations of lace-making are offered.

How to take a tour to Burano from Venice

If to make this visit on your trip, instead of going on your own you prefer to go in a group organized by an agency, you can sign up for this tour in Spanish to Murano and Burano.

On an excursion of between 4 and 8 hours accompanied by a guide in spanish, in which in addition to doing the lagoon cruise, you can visit the aforementioned islands, and in Burano you will enjoy their fishermen's colorful houses and handmade lace.

You also have this option of a full day trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello, in which you can also delve deeper into your knowledge of these islands and their attractions.