At the beginning, Torcello was the center of the Venetian Lagoon, home to people who had been driven from the mainland by the Visigoths. The island reached its peak between the 7th and 10th centuries, when flourishing trade allowed its population to grow up to 30,000 inhabitants. However, from the 15th century, the stagnant waters and frequent outbreaks of diseases such as malaria led to a drastic decline in population. Seeking a healthier environment, the remaining inhabitants loaded the stones of their houses onto boats and used them to build Venice. Torcello is not only a living testament to the birth of Venetian civilization, but also an island immersed in the fascinating world of the lagoon. It is a land of vegetable gardens, inhabited by just a dozen people today. Unfortunately, of the many noble palaces, churches, and monasteries that once filled the island, only a few monuments remain. Among them stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, famous for its extraordinary Byzantine-Romanesque mosaics dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Nearby, you will see another island with a leaning bell tower—Burano. Burano was founded when the people of Altino fled barbarian invasions, seeking refuge on small neighboring islands within the lagoon. The name Burano comes from Bora, the cold, powerful wind that frequently sweeps across the lagoon during winter. Today, Burano is famous for its vibrant colors. Each house is painted in bright, contrasting tones to mark the boundaries between properties. According to legend, the fishermen painted their houses in distinct colors so they could easily recognize their homes in the thick fog—or “caìgo,” as it is known in Venetian dialect. In autumn and winter, dense banks of fog descend over the lagoon, shrouding everything in mystery. Burano is also home to master lacemakers, who still create intricate lacework entirely by hand. Meanwhile, the men traditionally commuted to Murano, an island world-renowned for its glassmaking.

Murano’s history traces back to the refugee settlements from Altino during the barbarian invasions. However, Murano glass as we know it was officially born in 1291, when the Republic of Venice ordered all glass workshops to move to Murano to reduce the risk of fires in the city’s wooden buildings. Master glassmakers were forbidden to leave the island without special permission. Despite this, many managed to escape abroad, spreading their famous techniques worldwide. The 15th century marked a major crisis when Bohemian crystal became a serious competitor, but Venice reclaimed its prestige through the unique craftsmanship of Murano chandeliers, which remain one of the island’s most celebrated creations today.

The Venetian Lagoon is a mysterious, ever-changing world, where the water is neither entirely fresh nor salty, and the land constantly shifts, emerging and disappearing with the tides. Everything in the lagoon moves at a slow and timeless pace, shaped by the rhythms of nature. Venice Tour by Boat invites you to experience this extraordinary world, offering exclusive tours to explore these unique islands, far from time and untouched by the modern rush. Whether you seek an immersive journey through history or a romantic sunset trip, you will witness colors so spectacular that even the greatest painters could never truly capture them.