VENICE 2017: The Mazzorbo and Burano Islands

After lunch in Torcello (last post), the farthest-out island in the Venetian lagoon, we hopped on the vaporetto to the nearby islands of Mazzorbo and Burano on our way back to Venice.

You can see how close the 3 islands are:  Torcello, Mazzorbo and Burano.

It so happens that the lesser-known Mazzorbo is linked to Burano by a footbridge.  And since it was right at the valporetto stop, we decided to visit it first.

It's tell-tale landmark is the bell tower of the Church of St. Michael Archangel from the 11th cent.

The tower is smack-dab in the vineyard of the Venissa Estate. 

The bottom-right image is looking back from Burano later, so nearby.

It's a walled vineyard of 5 acres, whose Medieval walls were restored in 1727 (top row).

From outside the wall we looked back to the church in Torcello from that morning (center row)

...and then to Burano back across the wooden footbridge (bottom row).

There was more to see in Mazzorbo but it was enough to say we did it.

It was Burano we had stopped to see.

Remember how we had seen it from the bell tower in Torcello that morning?

These islands are like sisters, holding hands...so close to each other.

As you probably know, Burano is most known for it's small, brightly-painted houses.

The colours of the houses follow a specific system originating from the golden age of its development; if someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will respond by making notice of the certain colours permitted for that lot.  --Wiki

Can you imagine living there?  I hope you're not color-blind!

Who knew you could do so much with color.

Impressions.  Always impressions.

And lots of lace!  Burano is also known for its lace...like Murano is known for it's glass.

Lace-making revived in 1872 when a lace-making school was opened.

But few have continued the time-consuming and expensive tradition, though much lace is still sold.

Of course, the tilting church tower of the 16th cent. Church of San Martino beckoned.

The 53-meter tower was built in the 17th century.  It was hard to miss!  

Lucky for us, the church was open.

We were especially glad to see Mother Teresa (top-right).

What is it about living near the water like this.  

It grows on you, as we can attest from where we live here in the Netherlands.

But nowhere will you probably ever see such concentrated color, not even in the Netherlands!