About
The city's history dates back more than 1,500 years, when it was founded on a quiet, tranquil island off the tourist trail in Venice.
After you've seen all of Venice's must-see attractions, you might wish to spend some time in a more relaxed, tranquil setting. Located just outside of Burano and Murano in the North Lagoon of Venice, Torcello is a small island with a lengthy history. The city of Venice is thought to have started in Torcello more than 1,500 years ago. Torcello used to be a very populated city with over 20,000 people, rivaling Venice as the main port and commerce hub in the area. Unfortunately, Torcello's canals began to sludge up, which decreased shipping and resulted in significant mosquito epidemics. The majority of locals moved to Venice to avoid malaria and to find work. They also carried the stones from their homes with them, leaving just the basilica and a few other buildings. Less than a dozen people live on the island full-time at the moment.
