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Home  /  Home Page Slider  /  Burano Island is a Venetian Treasure

Burano Island is a Venetian Treasure

Burano, with its brightly colored houses and businesses, is part of Venice but much removed from the crowds of St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. It only takes a short water taxi ride across the Venetian Lagoon to get to this magical island with its gift shops, restaurants and narrow canals.

Colorful houses and businesses line the canals.

 

Historians believe the island was probably settled by the Romans in the 6th century. Most agree the houses were painted brilliant colors so fishermen could see their homes when they were far out to sea or to find them when they’d had a little too much to drink.

Photographing the colorful houses is so enjoyable on Burano Island.

 

From the Burano dock I wander past several open-air booths selling traditional souvenirs. Along a narrow alleyway I come to a shop specializing in lacework. Burano is famous for its needle lace and a woman sits in the center of the shop surrounded by elegant lace tablecloths, lace-trimmed linens and other finery. She meticulously creates  another piece of lace artwork. Handmade lace is labor intensive and very expensive. La Perla Gallery is a good place to purchase Burano lace.

A woman makes Burano needle lace in a lace shop.

 

It was in the 16th century that women began making lace. The lace was exported across Europe. Although the trade began to decline in the 18th century, in 1872 a school of lace making was opened. Lace making on the island boomed once again.

After watching the lace maker for several minutes and admiring her talent, I head out along the canals and into neighborhoods to photograph the pink, red, blue, plum, yellow, peach and golden houses; many trimmed in contrasting colors with flower boxes filled to overflowing flowers.

Flower boxes add to the beauty of Burano Island.

 

I wandered along other boardwalks next to canals and stopped for gelato before heading back to the dock to take the water taxi back to Venice and my hotel.

Many Venice visitors make their way to Murano to see the famous glass being made, but try to also make time for Burano; a treasure of color and lace.

If you go:

Plan to spend at least half a day on Burano.

If you are traveling throughout Italy or Europe, check out the Eurail passes. They provide a convenient and economical way to travel from city to city including Venice.

For more articles on Italy, click here.

 

 

 

 

Tags: Italy, Venice
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About Author

marilynjones

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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28 Comments

  1. Lois Alter Mark Reply
    July 9, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    We never got to visit Burano when we were in Venice but I would love to next time. The colors are so beautiful.

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 9, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      I had such a relaxing time shopping and exploring; my kind of day!!

  2. Audre Moore Reply
    July 9, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    Your photo’s once again are amazing. The colors of the buildings and flowers and the intricacies of the lace are captured perfectly. I have never really wanted to travel anywhere but the U.S. but perhaps one dayi will visit here.

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 9, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Thank you so much Audre; I really appreciate your kind words!! You would love Venice and Burano Island. Get Daryl to take you there!

  3. Marcelle Reply
    July 10, 2017 at 12:04 am

    Marilyn, I’d never heard of Burano. What a beautiful island. The colors of the houses remind me of our visit to La Boca in Argentina.

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 10, 2017 at 6:31 am

      A friend of mine told me about Burano; I had never heard of it either! I really enjoyed my time there.

  4. michele h peterson Reply
    July 10, 2017 at 9:32 am

    I did get to visit Burano during an Insight vacations tour and we got to sample the lagoon fish and meet the local fisherman. It was really a lovely town

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 10, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      You did more than I did; I’d love to go back!!

  5. Rachel Heller Reply
    July 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

    Yes, I loved Burano, even more than Murano! Such beautiful colors, and it was much quieter, which was a nice break from the crowds of the city.

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      July 10, 2017 at 7:23 pm

      I didn’t make it to Murano; maybe next visit. I was pleasantly surprised by Burano though. I would go back!

  6. jane Reply
    July 10, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Love the colours on Burano – I haven’t been there, just Venice and the Lido, but maybe next visit this island deserves a visit. Even if just to get away from the crowds!

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      July 10, 2017 at 7:20 pm

      It does make a lovely break in the day. As one of my friends said; it’s sure cheerful there!

  7. Carole Terwilliger Meyers Reply
    July 10, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I will add lovely Burano to my Venice to-do list. I visited the cemetery island on a long-ago trip and heard about the island where they make all the glass items (I guess it isn’t Burano, as I first thought). So much to see, so little time!

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      July 10, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      There is so much to see!! The glass island you are thinking of is Murano. You take the same water taxi to both islands.

  8. Karen Warren Reply
    July 12, 2017 at 6:18 am

    I was in Burano many years ago and found it lovely. I like the idea that people painted their houses different colours so that they could find their way home after drinking!

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 12, 2017 at 3:35 pm

      It is a funny reason to paint your house a different color; that’s for sure!! Whatever the reason, Burano is a beautiful destination!

  9. Janice Chung Reply
    July 12, 2017 at 6:25 am

    I kick myself that I never went to Burano when I was in Venice. Guess I’ll have to go back! What a lovely place. The colourful houses are beautiful.

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 12, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      I didn’t to get to Murano, so I guess I’ll have to go back too!! 🙂 There is so much to see in Venice!

  10. Doreen Pendgracs Reply
    July 12, 2017 at 7:55 am

    I adore the colours in your photos, Marilyn! I’ve not yet been to Venice, but would love to go!

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 12, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      It was my first visit to Venice. I am already wanting to return to Italy!!

  11. Debbra Dunning Brouillette Reply
    July 12, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    I’d love to get to Venice and include both Murano and Burano in my itinerary! So lovely! I am sure I would come home with a sample of the lace. Did you?

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 12, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      The lace is beautiful and very expensive!! So no Burano lace for me. 🙁 I want to go to Murano too, but I am glad I did get to Burano. It was a fun day!

  12. Nathalie Reply
    July 15, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    We were in Burano and Murano during the winter, it was great for lack of crowds but there weren’t any needleworkers. I guess there are different advantages and disadvantages to traveling in different seasons.

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      July 16, 2017 at 5:06 am

      The lace maker was in a very high-end shop. No photos allowed, but the manager did agree to let me photograph the woman making lace. I hope to get to Murano on my next trip to Venice. There is never enough time!!

  13. Sue Reddel Reply
    July 17, 2017 at 9:48 am

    Venice is definitely on our must-see list and Burano with all its bright colors and beautiful lace. Thanks for the recommendation!

    • marilynjones Reply
      July 17, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      I had never heard of Burano until a friend told me. I was very impressed!

  14. Kit Angland Reply
    September 24, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    Some really interesting information, well written and broadly speaking user pleasant.

    • marilynjones Reply
      September 25, 2017 at 6:33 am

      Thank you! Burano is so beautiful and unusual! I appreciate you kind comment!!

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About Me

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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