Four islands - Cimitero, Murano, Burano and Torcello lie within Venice's lagoon. Our destination today was Murano and Burano. Rather than take the "sardine can" to St. Mark's Square and then the LN vaporetto to the islands, Jim and I headed out by foot through the narrow streets of Venice to the north side of the city and the vaporetto station at Fondamenta Nuove. Hallelujah! We did not get lost! And, even better, we beat the crowds!
Murano is the glass makers' island. Its history dates back centuries. Chandeliers created by Murano artisans show up in paintings by Veronese, Tintoretto, Bellini and Titian. Running along both sides of the island's canal are showrooms, workshops and furnaces. To wander the showrooms is to look at masterpieces in glass from teeny-tiny figures to massive chandeliers. The workmanship is spellbinding! And jewelry - wow!
Burano, on the other hand, is home to lacemakers and fishermen. Houses are painted in bright colors, so the story goes, so that they can be spotted from the sea by their fishermen. Lace making has been a craft of the island since the 15th C. Handkerchiefs, scarves, colars, napkins - you name it - are available in the most intricate of patterns. Wandering the colorful, spotless streets, without the ever present tour groups is a sheer joy!
The Adriatic today was turquoise blue, the sun was shining, and the breezes were refreshing. What more could we ask for.
Tomorrow we are off to the Dolomites, Cortina, etc. For the day and then back into Venice.
Ciao!
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