Burano

Located some 7 kilometers northeast from Venice, the island of Burano (which, just like Venice itself, could be deemed a miniature archipelago) is the birthplace of the traditional lacework in the Venetian Lagoon. In fact, when it comes to its tourist patrimony, the lacework-related sights are the ones which put Burano on the tourist map of the lagoon.

Thus, the Lace Museum is the most reputed landmark on the island. Its popularity is enhanced, amongst others, by the fact Fondazione Musei Civici Veneziani manages the venue, including it on the list of the most important museums one can visit in the lagoon. By visiting this museum, tourists have the opportunity to learn that the history of the lace production goes back to the 15th century, and that Leonardo da Vinci himself was the one who, after purchasing a piece of lacework destined to embellish the main altar of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), brought fame to the place, promoting the value of the local tradition.

Other notable sights on the island refer to a certain Oratory of Santa Barbara and to the Church of San Martino. For people keen on sailing competitions, Burano is best to be visited in mid September when the Burano Regatta (one of the latest organized regattas in the lagoon) is held. On top of such precise objectives, Burano remains a place full of color: the island is famed for its skyline and balanced architectural landscape preserved for centuries due to the authorities who enforced the rule of building small brightly painted houses, a policy strictly observed by the population (private house owners are not allowed to build or to paint their residences in a way that deviates from the overall urban planning patterns).

The most reliable means of getting from Venice to Burano is to take one of the water buses run by ACTV.