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© Darren Green - FOTOLIA
Burano is a collection of
islands linked by bridges and divided by canals, located approximately
9km to the north-east of Venice.
Historians are divided as to whether the island acquired its name from
the Buriana family, who were amongst the first settlers, or from the
smaller neighbouring island of Buranello from whence its first
inhabitants originated.
Burano is a densely populated, neat and attractive little town with a
population of around 5,000. Visitors usually remark on the brightly
painted houses which create a colourful ambiance: a feature which the
authorities have attempted to preserve by insisting that residents
observe the municipal colour scheme when painting their homes.
The island's most notable landmark is the leaning tower of the San
Martino church whose interior houses a painting of the crucifixion by
Tiepolo the elder. The island is also notable for its Museum and School
of Lacemaking.
Burano was mere a fishing village in the 16th century. However, during
the subsequent two hundred years its women developed a fine, delicate
form of lace known as “punto in aria” (“points in the air”) which
transformed the island into one of the most prosperous lacemaking
centres in Europe.
The conquest of Venice in 1797, and the subsequent collapse of its
commercial power, resulted in the virtual ruination of Burano.

Burano lace ©
Lovrenc Gasparin - FOTOLIA
The lace-making school was
founded in 1872 in the hope that it would revive the island’s former
fortunes. However, despite the fact that lacemaking is once again
Burano’s chief industry, the traditional methods have been abandoned in
favour of cheap mass production.
Although authentic Burano lace is no longer sold in the stalls which
line the Via Baldassare Galuppi, the town’s principal thoroughfare, you
can still watch it being stitched in the Scuola dei Merletti whose
museum contains some exquisite displays.
Burano also has a vibrant artistic community; indeed the famous French
designer, Phillippe Starck, is reputed to have invested heavily in the
area. Numerous richly-coloured canvasses, which capture Burano's bright
optimistic image, are offered for sale.

© Lovrenc Gasparin -
FOTOLIA
Burano is connected by
bridge to another smaller island, Mazzorbo, which boasts a 14th century
church, the Santa Caterina, and a bizarrely-painted council estate which
must be seen by any visitors interested in urban planning.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Burano by vaporetto from the
Fondamente Nuove. (route 12).
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