To get to Burano, take the LN (Laguna Nord) ferry from the Fondamente Nuove stop on Venice's northern shore.
Several miles northeast of Venice lies the small, pretty island of Burano. With less than 3,000 inhabitants, it makes for a relaxing break from the crowds of the main city, and you can wander along at your leisure, admiring the little alleyways and old footbridges that have changed little in the last few centuries.
An Explosion of Colour
The most vivid impression that most of Burano’s visitors take away with them is of one thing – colour. Many of the island’s houses are brightly painted, and you will see blues, reds, yellows, greens and almost any other colour you care to name as you walk through the streets. The origins of this cheery décor are the subject of much speculation; the most popular theory is that, in days gone by, each fisherman would paint his house an unusual colour so that he could identify it when he was working out on the lagoon. The process is rather more official now, and if you want to paint your house these days you need the permission of the local council, who will respond detailing the permitted range of colours.
The Leaning Tower of Burano
Besides the houses, the Church of San Martino is worth a look, although you may need to quell a slight sense of alarm on first seeing the visibly slanted belltower. Inside the church, there is a beautiful painting of the crucifixion by Giambattista Tiepolo. Moving on, you may see craftsmen hard at work making silk – this was historically a major industry for the people of Burano, and its history is documented in the islands lace-making museum.
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