Burano Italy. The fabulous island of Burano in Venice. The fabulous island of Burano in Venice: how to get there

When you get to small island Burano in Venice seems like you are in a fantasy fairy tale film. The fact is that all the houses here are painted in different colors, rich and bright. But it’s not just the colorful buildings that amaze: people come to admire the exhibits of the lace museum and look at the leaning tower of San Martino. Just wander through the picturesque streets with souvenir shops or have lunch at one of the best fish restaurants. Everything here is interesting and original.

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Until the 1st century, the island was part of the Ancient Roman Empire. People here lived and worked peacefully - men were mainly engaged in fishing, women - in housekeeping and raising children. But raids by barbarian tribes forced residents to leave their homes. They began to look for quieter places protected from enemies and settled in the most remote corners of the Venetian Lagoon. One of these places turned out to be an island located seven kilometers from Venice.

Why it was called Burano is not exactly established. It is assumed that representatives of a noble family with the same surname once lived here. Until 1923, the island had the status of a city, then it became one of the quarters of Venice, the area of the territory is slightly more than 21 hectares. Now about 3,000 people permanently live there. Located on islands separated by narrow channels that have access to the Venetian Lagoon.

Attractions

Since the XYI century, the city has specialized in the production of lace. Weaving technology, according to one version, was imported from the Eastern Mediterranean, from the island of Cyprus, which in those distant times was a colony of the Roman Empire. At first, ready-made lace products were brought from there, then the island’s residents learned how to weave themselves. But here they believe that lace was invented by the women of Burano.

In the warm season, they helped their husbands weave nets for fishing. In winter, trying to decorate their homes and clothes, they began to weave lace, which soon became famous throughout Europe. The peculiarity of Buransky weaving is that it is made using a unique technology - not with the help of bobbins, like, for example, Vologda, it is embroidered with needles.

One of the main attractions is dedicated to this craft - the lace museum “Museo dei Marletto” (“marletti” is how lace is called in Italy). It is located in Piazza Baldassare Galuppi in a former lace making school. The school closed in 1979 because young girls did not want to engage in painstaking and tedious work, and the ancient craft was becoming a thing of the past. In the museum interesting program, first they show a video about the history of Venetian lace and its production, then visitors can view an interesting collection of the best products.

On the island you can buy things made by local craftswomen, but the prices are very high. If it is not possible to purchase original lace, they buy a fake made in China at quite affordable prices. There is a romantic version of the emergence of lace craft. One fisherman was engaged to a girl whom he loved very much. One day he went fishing. At sea, a siren tried to seduce a handsome guy with her bewitching singing, but the young man did not succumb to the seductress’s charms. For his perseverance and loyalty, the siren gave him an amazing lace woven from sea foam. The Lace Museum is located in Piazza Baldassare Galuppi. Opening hours are from 10.00 to 18.00, ticket price is 5.5 euros for adults, and 4 euros for children from 6 to 14 years old, free for children under 6 years old.

On the main square of the island there is another attraction that people are proud of local residents- This is the leaning tower of San Martino. The tower began to be built in the 10th century with donations from townspeople. Inside, the walls are decorated with frescoes by the artist Tiepolo. Due to the collapse of the ground, the bell tower began to deviate from the vertical.

Now its slope is 1.8 m, it seems that it is about to fall. The tower is saved from final destruction by the wall of another building on which it rests. When the bell tower began to lean, the city administration decided to restore it and correct the situation, but residents asked to leave everything as it is. Now it is a symbol of the quarter, the most beautiful view it opens onto it from the canal bridges.

Grateful residents erected a monument to the composer on the square named after him. Italy is famous for its cuisine - everyone knows risotto, lasagna and pizza, as well as fish dishes. It is believed that the best fish restaurant in Venice is on the island of Burano. It is called “Al Gatto Nero Da Ruggero”. Excellent cuisine, but you need to know that the cost of one dish is from 16 to 30 euros. True, the portions are very large - two people can get enough of one.

What is the origin of the tradition of painting houses different colors?

When they started painting houses with multi-colored paint, historians cannot say; only funny legends talk about it. One of them, not very plausible, is very popular with tourists. The island is surrounded by sea; naturally, many of the inhabitants were sailors. Getting into hometown After long voyages, sailors went to taverns and other drinking establishments, where they heartily celebrated their safe arrival. In order for a sailor drunk to the point of insensibility to be brought home, the wives made a mark on their forehead that matched the color of the house. So the sailor was taken home.

When visiting Venice, they usually come to Burano for a few hours to see the riot of colors. Now, according to the law, no one has the right, without special permission, to repaint a house a different color (even shutters, roof and doors) at their own discretion, only in agreement with the city administration.

Where is it and how to get there

The island can only be reached by sea water bus- Vaparetto from the Fondamenta Nuove marina, located in the center of Venice. Route No. 12 goes to the island, travel time is 45 - 50 minutes. Ticket price for 1 hour is 7 euros. You should know that trams depart from several houses in Venice. In order not to confuse the landing place and not go to another island, you need to look at the board where the route number and final stop are indicated.

You can purchase a ticket on shore or on board from the conductor; their cost is the same. If tickets were purchased on shore, they must be presented to a magnetic device, otherwise they will be invalid. And the fines for unpaid travel in Italy are impressive. A trip to the island of Burano, as well as to other nearby islands of Venice, does not leave people indifferent - beautiful houses with traditionally hung laundry, obligatory flowers on the windowsills, a wonderful view of the Venetian Lagoon - all this will be remembered for a lifetime.

It seems like you are in a fantasy fairy tale film. The fact is that all the houses here are painted in different colors, rich and bright. But not only the colorful buildings amaze - people come to admire the exhibits of the lace museum and look at the leaning tower of San Martino. Just wander through the picturesque streets with souvenir shops or have lunch at one of the best fish restaurants. Everything here is interesting and original.

History of the island of Burano.

Until the 6th century, the island was part of the Ancient Roman Empire. People here lived and worked peacefully - men were mainly engaged in fishing, women - in housekeeping and raising children. But raids by barbarian tribes forced residents to leave their homes. They began to look for quieter places protected from enemies and settled in the most remote corners of the Venetian Lagoon. One of these places turned out to be an island located seven kilometers from.

Why Burano.

Why it was called Burano is not precisely established. It is assumed that representatives of a noble family with the same surname once lived here. Until 1923, the island had the status of a city, then it became one of the quarters of Venice, the area of the territory is slightly more than 21 hectares. Now about 3,000 people permanently live there. Located on islands separated by narrow channels that have access to the Venetian Lagoon.

Sights of the island of Burano.

Since the 16th century, the city has specialized in the production of lace. Weaving technology, according to one version, was imported from the Eastern Mediterranean, from the island of Cyprus, which in those distant times was a colony of the Roman Empire. At first, ready-made lace products were brought from there, then the island’s residents learned how to weave themselves. But here they believe that lace was invented by the women of Burano. In the warm season, they helped their husbands weave nets for fishing. In winter, trying to decorate their homes and clothes, they began to weave lace, which soon became famous throughout Europe. The peculiarity of Buransky weaving is that it is made using a unique technology - not with the help of bobbins, like, for example, Vologda, it is embroidered with needles.

"Museo dei Marletto".

One of the main attractions is dedicated to this craft - the lace museum “Museo dei Marletto” (“marletti” is how lace is called in Italy). It is located in Piazza Baldassare Galuppi in a former lace making school. The school closed in 1979 because young girls did not want to engage in painstaking and tedious work, and the ancient craft was becoming a thing of the past. The museum has an interesting program: first they show a video about the history of Venetian lace, its production, then visitors can view an interesting collection of the best products.

Lace craft in Burano.

Tower of San Martino.

On the main square of the island there is another attraction that locals are proud of - the Leaning Tower of San Martino. The tower began to be built in the 10th century with donations from townspeople. Inside, the walls are decorated with frescoes by the artist Tiepolo. Due to the collapse of the ground, the bell tower began to deviate from the vertical. Now its slope is 1.8 m, it seems that it is about to fall. The tower is saved from final destruction by the wall of another building on which it rests. When the bell tower began to lean, the city administration decided to restore it and correct the situation, but residents asked to leave everything as it is. Now it is a symbol of the quarter; the most beautiful view of it opens from the canal bridges.

Piazza Baldassare Galuppi.

It only takes a few hours to explore the islands. And wherever the tourist goes, all roads will lead to the main square of Baldassare Galuppi (Piazza Baldaccarre Galuppi). The square is named after the famous native of this place - Galuppi. Now few people know his name, but in the 18th century he would have been a famous master of Italian comic opera, conductor and organist. He was respectfully nicknamed "buranello". Grateful residents erected a monument to the composer on the square named after him. Italy is famous for its cuisine - everyone knows risotto, lasagna and pizza, as well as fish dishes. It is believed that the best fish restaurant in Venice is on the island of Burano. It is called “Al Gatto Nero Da Ruggero”. Excellent cuisine, but you need to know that the cost of one dish is from 16 to 30 euros. True, the portions are very large - two people can get enough of one.

What is the origin of the tradition of painting houses different colors?

When they started painting houses with multi-colored paint, historians cannot say; only funny legends talk about it. One of them, not very plausible, is very popular with tourists. The island is surrounded by sea; naturally, many of the inhabitants were sailors. Finding themselves in their hometown after long voyages, the sailors went to taverns and other drinking establishments, where they heartily celebrated their safe arrival. In order for a sailor drunk to the point of insensibility to be brought home, the wives made a mark on their forehead that matched the color of the house. So the sailor was taken home.

Colorful houses of Burano.

Another version is that each clan or clan was obliged to paint their houses the same color. If noble people have a family coat of arms, then this is the color of the home. What was the root cause of the appearance of multi-colored buildings is not known for certain, but the tradition is maintained to this day. Now they do this to attract numerous tourists. When visiting Venice, they usually come to Burano for a few hours to see the riot of colors. Now, according to the law, no one has the right, without special permission, to repaint a house a different color (even shutters, roof and doors) at their own discretion, only in agreement with the city administration.

How to get to Burano.

The island can only be reached by sea by water bus - vaporetto from the Fondamenta Nuove pier, located in the center of Venice. There is route No. 12 to the island, travel time is 45 - 50 minutes. Ticket price for 1 hour is 7 euros. You should know that trams depart from several houses in Venice. In order not to confuse the landing place and not go to another island, you need to look at the board where the route number and final stop are indicated.

You can purchase a ticket on shore or on board from the conductor; their cost is the same. If tickets were purchased on shore, they must be presented to a magnetic device, otherwise they will be invalid. And the fines for unpaid travel in Italy are impressive. A trip to the island of Burano, as well as to other nearby islands of Venice, does not leave people indifferent - beautiful houses with traditionally hung laundry, obligatory flowers on the windowsills, a wonderful view of the Venetian lagoon - all this will be remembered for a lifetime.

The small island of Burano, 7 kilometers from Venice, is a real miracle in true Venetian style - bright, catchy and unforgettable. When you see it, an association with an “explosion at a paint factory” comes to mind - the houses located on it are so diverse and dazzling.

In fact, Burano is one of the administrative quarters of Venice, it is inhabited by about 2,700 people (mostly of mature and old age), however, every day from dawn to dusk, thousands of tourists flood the island to see the most memorable and recognizable colorful houses in the world.

They say that Burano is slowly dying out - the few natives, unable to withstand the isolated position of the island and the lack of necessary infrastructure, leave it and move to the mainland or to Venice itself. Perhaps in the near future Burano will become a 100% tourist “Potemkin village” - with empty houses, several restaurants for tourists, souvenir shops and “selfie” stands in the most picturesque points of the village. However, fortunately, this has not happened so far, and having arrived here early in the morning and preferably at “low” tourist season, you can still see the quiet everyday life of this beautiful island. So you need to hurry...

There is no need to study information about Burano (as before meeting Venice) and specially prepare for a visit here - this is the case when exclusively visual pleasure comes to the fore. Just enjoy the small, brightly painted houses, reflected in the neat canals, and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic surrounding the island.

If neighboring or more large island Murano is known throughout the world for its glassblowing production, and the symbol of Burano is lace, which has been skillfully made by local craftswomen since around the 16th century. Lace production has experienced its heyday and then its decline, becoming today a craft performed for the pleasure and sale of tourists. At Piazza Galuppi in Burano you can not only buy elegant napkins, shawls and lace clothes, but also sometimes see with your own eyes the process of working on these works of Venetian art. A special type of Buransky sweets is also produced on the island.

How to get to Burano:

In Venice, from the Fondamente Nove pier (located in the northern part of the island) by vaporetto along route No. 12, which connects Venice with the outlying islands of the lagoon.

Route 12 passes through the islands of Murano, Mazzorbo (connected to Burano by a bridge), Burano and then to Cavallino-Treporti.

The best time to depart for the islands is in the morning, at 7.40, 8.10, 8.40 or 9.10 (later the number of tourists increases exponentially). The interval between vaporettos on this route is 30 minutes.

The travel time to Burano is 40 minutes, which flies by completely unnoticed during this easy and pleasant boat trip.

How long does it take to walk around Burano: approximately 2 hours. If you plan to visit Murano and Burano on the same day, allow at least 4-5 hours (half a day). If you want to explore every corner and go to every church, then you need to allocate a whole day to two islands.

Burano itself is a rather small island, consisting of four parts separated by three canals. The first historical mention of it under the name “Burani” dates back to 840 AD, but the inhabitants of the ancient Roman city of Altino took refuge from the invasion of the barbarians of Attila and the Lombards on the lagoon islands, including Burano, much earlier.

Sights of Burano Island:

Lace Museum;

The Church of San Martino, lopsided in the manner of the Leaning Tower of Pisa;

Home, home and home again.

It is not known for certain where the tradition of painting houses in Burano in bright colors came from. According to one version, each color symbolized a particular family on Burano and was a kind of “distinctive sign”; according to another, boatmen painted houses in especially catchy colors to make it easier to find their own during the impenetrable fog from the Adriatic that often envelops the island. In Burano it was impossible (both before and today) to simply go and paint your house without permission - this required permission from the local authorities.

Before going to Burano, I personally had a feeling of a certain theatricality of this island and I was afraid to be disappointed when I saw the semblance of decorated prop scenery. In addition, professional photographs of Burano often look overly processed and it is unclear what he really is like. However, reality not only did not disappoint, but exceeded expectations many times over. All the photos in this article are without any processing, and there are many of them - simply because it is impossible to choose the best, all the views of the island of Burano are simply beautiful.

Perhaps the charm of Burano was revealed to us in full force due to the lack of crowds of tourists - in the photo the island is the most low season for Venice: the Christmas holidays are already over, and the main winter event in Venice, the carnival, is still far away.

Some buildings are painted in an eye-catching style, some are designed in soft pastel colors, but there is never a feeling that the surrounding space is inharmonious.

Christmas Santas, or Babbo Natale in Italian, are still out and about delivering gifts to their recipients.

Incredibly beautiful reflections of houses in the canals.

Buranskoe lace is one of the main local souvenirs. Evil tongues claim that “the king is not real” - made in China. I don't know how true this is.

This house on the right, painted pale green, struck me on the spot and became, perhaps, the most memorable among all Buranovsky buildings.

In the central square of Baldassare Galuppi there is the 16th-century Church of San Martino (Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo) with a 53-meter bell tower - the campanile. The Campanile has already squinted quite a bit, which is visible, however, only from some angles.

Inside the church, pay attention to the work “The Crucifixion” by one of the “great Venetians” - Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

The Nativity scene in the church was still undismantled.

Local residents, mostly elderly, rush about their business early in the morning, apparently in a hurry to get there before the tourists arrive. Although in any direction to Burano - a maximum of 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.

View of neighboring island Torcello.

“Explosion at a paint factory” - this is the headline for an article about Burano that came to my mind right here.

The unfailing Italian panties are dried, as expected, on the street.

The elderly Italian gentlemen decided to move the boat somewhere.

There are “Buranovsky grandmothers”, and there are also “Buranovsky cats”.

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Burano is an island located 7 km from Venice and is under its administrative control. You can get here in just 40 minutes by Vaporetto water bus. According to the latest census, about 3 thousand people live in Burano.

In reality, Burano consists of four separate islands, which are separated from each other by narrow, only 10 meters wide, channels - Rio Pontinello in the west, Rio Zuecca in the south and Rio Terranova in the east. Once upon a time there was also a fifth island, but its channel was covered with earth and turned into Via Baldassare Galuppi, connecting the islets of San Martino Destra and San Martino Sinistra.

Probably the first inhabitants of Burano were the Romans, who were replaced in the 6th century AD. people came from the city of Altino. There are two versions of the origin of the name of the island. According to one of them, the island is named after the surname of the ancient Burian family. According to another, Burano got its name from the small island of Buranello, located 8 km to the south.

Despite the fact that soon after colonization the island turned into a prosperous commune, it was administratively dependent on Torcello and did not have the same privileges as Murano. Burano acquired particular significance only in the 16th century, when local women began weaving lace - the Venetians brought the technology for its production from Cyprus, which they controlled. After quite a short time, Buransky lace began to be exported to other European countries, and it conquered the aristocratic world. But already in the 18th century, the decline of the craft began, which could be revived only after 1872, when a lace making school was opened on Burano. This craft still exists today, although only a small number of craftswomen now use traditional weaving techniques. Despite this, Burana lace is considered one of the symbols of Venice.

Another “highlight” of Burano is its small multi-colored residential buildings, so pleasing to the tourist’s eye. Interesting fact– if today any resident of Burano wants to paint his house, he will first have to send a corresponding request to the administration and wait for permission to be received indicating the specific colors that can be used for painting!

Among other attractions of Burano, it is worth visiting the Museum of Venetian Lace, the only local church of San Martino with a 52-meter-high inclined bell tower and paintings by the great Gianbattista Tiepolo, and Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, named after the composer born here.

Burano is a tiny town that became a real discovery for us when visiting Venice. Cute, bright, colorful houses not only left a pleasant impression of this place - we were amazed to the core!

When approaching Burano (or rather, when approaching, because on a ship))) you see - well, yes, well, colorful houses. And what?

And then... and then...

The riot of colors makes an indescribably pleasant impression. I want to stand and stand, looking at such beauty. In detail. Look at the facades...

...doors...

...walls...

...and windows...

Photos taken April 26, 2011

In general, babble! :)

One of the most picturesque Italian large photographs will be the final one in this post, about Burano:

The rest of the posts are about our trip to Italy.

The most beautiful photos of other posts - follow the link to the album on Facebook.

Well, as usual, a few words from the guidebook:

BURANO

On the way to Burano, you will see several abandoned islands on the starboard side. First there will be San Giacomo in Paludo (San Giacomo in Paludo, St. James on the Marsh), formerly a Franciscan monastery, and in the 20th century a military prison. Then - the ruins of the monastery Madonna del Monte (Madonna del Monte ), a powder warehouse in the 19th century. The first stop will be at Mazzorbo (Mazzorbo), where it would be smart to get off while the crowd continues on to Burano: here you can have lunch in a restaurant that is close to genius Maddalena, where during the season they will roast wild duck for you, lie in the garden near the chapel on the edge of the island, and then walk to Burano across the bridge, marveling at the sight of the Campanile Torcello, rising in absolute solitude. The name of the humble Mazzorbo is ancient Roman and means « Big city» (major urbs); in the Middle Ages there was a customs house here on the way of goods from Germany, so the town flourished. But already in the 11th century, malaria forced residents to emigrate; they dismantled their houses brick by brick and rebuilt them around the Rialto Bridge.
Vaporetto to Burano leaves 2 times an hour from Murano, from the Faro stop (at the lighthouse)

Fisherman's Island Burano (Burano) — a nice place, postcards don’t lie; the houses painted in candy colors (supposedly so that fishermen could see their house from afar) are adorable. But you need to move with sapper caution, it’s very easy to spoil your impression - just get on the main street ( via Galuppi), where everything is hung with cheap Taiwanese lace, as well as expensive Taiwanese lace - there is no other one here, and you can’t live without it, since supposedly the local fisherwomen do nothing but weave. The right decision is to take a walk along the deserted canals, where colorful houses in their in better shape, go to the restaurant Al Gatto Nero, and then go around the main square ( piazza Galuppi), where it is concentrated The cultural program. In the center of it modern monument Baldassare Galuppi, the 17th-century composer who set Goldoni's plays to music. In the church San Martino (San Martino, XVI century) the main painting is the sentimental “Crucifixion” by Tiepolo (1725); among the rest you can safely choose your favorite for the next half hour.
Visit to the Church of San Martino Mon-Sun 8.00-12.00, 15.00-19.00

Opposite the church - Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto) in the former School of Lace Making, where twenty years ago there were shows with a slight touch of sadism: girls from poor families, in order to earn crumbs, hunched over and picked with needles, demonstrating submission and killing their eyesight. The neat rows of their chairs make a heavy impression. But here you can see lace made in Burano, and not in Taiwan; the first samples are from the 16th century. They will be familiar to you from the things of your great-grandmothers: lace a la Burano (woven in the air, without a warp) was once in fashion.
Lace Museum Piazza Galuppi 187 Vaporetto Burano 041 73 00 34
Summer: Mon, Wed-Sun 10.00-17.00; winter: Mon, Wed-Sun 10.00-16.00 Entrance – €4

While you're in Burano, you can get out to the island San Francesco del Deserto (San Francesco del Deserto, literally a minute by water taxi) - because this is paradise. This monastery (4,000 cypress trees and less than a dozen monks) was St. Francis's first stop in Europe on his return journey from the Holy Land in 1220; it was here that he talked to the birds. The monks will show you the chapel, the cloister and the tomb in which St. Francis often lay to acquire the habit, and you will enjoy the peace, the smell of flowers and the singing of birds for yourself.
Visit to the monastery of San Francesco del Deserto
Tue-Sat 9.00-11.00, 15.00-17.00, Sun 15.00-17.00
Taxi rank behind the Church of San Martino; minimum €30 round trip with waiting. At the monastery you need to make a donation of a couple of euros

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