loading

Off the Beaten Track in Venice

Burano was one of the first settlements in the lagoon. It has continued to prosper as a fishing community over the years. Burano is densely populated, and its waterways perfectly harmonize with its colorful houses. In recent decades, the island has changed dramatically. It turned from a village of fishermen and lacemakers to a bustling tourist destination.

The island's heart is the piazza and the street named after the Burano composer Baldassare Galuppi. There are linen and lace shops on the street. Enjoy open-air trattorias serving fresh fish and the famous Bussolai Buranei.

Burano is well-known worldwide for its lace. Dogaressa Morosini established and promoted the Burano lace school in the late 1500s. But the lace art of the island declined due to the pressure of competition from the French lace. In 1872, the establishment of Scuola dei Merletti revived the art of embroidery. The technique called the "air stitch" is what made Burano lace famous. In this technique, the artisan uses a needle and thread by hand without any support. The art of Burano lace has since undergone many evolutions and modifications.

Today Burano lace is all about complex designs, which take a lot of time and dedication. That's why it is expensive and difficult to find. It is also partly because there are only a few lace makers left. If you are lucky, you can see lace makers at work in the Burano lace schools. To learn more about the history of lace and admire some delicate samples, see the Burano Lace Museum.

But Burano is not just about lace! One of the places we recommend seeing is the church of San Martino. This unfinished church has a striking leaning bell tower and is the symbol of Burano. On Burano, you must take at least one photo of Bepi Sua's house. The eccentric Mr. Bepi repainted the walls of the house daily. If you can afford a few days to explore the lagoon, stay for the night in one of the colorful houses on the island. Experiencing Burano as a local rather than a tourist will be a unique adventure.