On the solitary and quiet island of Torcello, in the middle of the northern lagoon, you can find the Venetian oldest religious complex, composed by three buildings linked together by a portico: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the baptistery and the church of Santa Fosca - an unfinished building behind the cathedral-.
Founded by the exarch Isaccio in 639, this cathedral is an extraordinary example of the Venetian-Byzantine style. The baptistery is of the 7th century, as is the church, while the bell tower is of the 11th century. During High Medieval period, the cathedral went under two remarkable refurbishments: the first in 864, the other in 1008, when Pietro Orseolo’s son, Orso Orseolo, was nominated bishop of Torcello. The decorative façade motif and the front portico are reasons of interest.
In its interior, besides the marble covering the floor, very interesting is the magnificent mosaic by the Ravenna and Venetian-Byzantine school, among them, the great Last Judgment, one of the oldest mosaic on the Venetian lagoon.
Useful information:
Address: Fondamenta dei Borgognoni - Torcellom, 30175 Venezia
Opening times: from March to October 10.30-17.30
from November to Februar 10.00-16.30
The ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier.
For further information and booking for groups: Phone. 0412702464
Price:
pro person € 5,00
children under 6 years sold Gratuito
children under 12 years old € 4,00
from 18 to 25 years old € 5,00
over 65 years old: € 5,00
Groups (minimum 10 payers) € 4,00
Contacts:
Phone +39 041 730119
Phone for guided tours +39 041.2702458
E-Mail: http://asa@patriarcato.venezia.it
Web: http://www.veneziasi.it
Hot to get there:Line 12 from Fondamenta Nuove to Burano, from Burano to Torcello line 9
