Present
day Venice occupies an area of more than 7 square kms, distributed
over 118 little islands, among which are Saint George and
the Giudecca, joined by 418 bridges and divided by 160 canals.
The city is divided into six districts called sestieri :
Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello on the left bank of the
Canal Grande, Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro on the
right bank.
Other
interesting centres to visit are Murano, Burano, Torcello,
Pellestrina, San Pietro in Volta, Alberoni, Malamocco and
Lido; at the edge of the lagoon there are Malcontenta, Tessera
and Dese.
The inhabited centres occupy a large part of the complex
of lagoons or else they are gathered on the internal edge
of the lagoon, in contact with the inland territory. On
the islands, above all on Burano and Malamocco, fishing
is still the basis of the economy and the most widespread
traditional activity for the majority of the inhabitants.
MURANO - Like the other islands of the
lagoon, Murano provided a refuge for the inhabitants of the
Venice mainland escaping from the barbaric invasion. A Ducal
decree in 1291 guaranteed Murano the privilege of manufacturing
of glass, and since then it has developed into the specialized
industry for which it is worldfamous today. In addition to
the furnaces and Glass Museum, a visit should certainly be
paid to the Basilica of SS.Maria and Donato (7th - 12th century),
one of the most beautiful Venetian/Byzantine buildings in
the lagoon.
BURANO - A small, picturesque island
inhabited mainly by fisherman. It is typical for its tiny,
vivid coloured houses, and owes its fame to its lace, hand
made by the women of island. After centuries of decline, this
industry has re-emerged, and Burano's lace is once again renowned
the world over. On sale in the shops are many items of hand-made
lace worked in the traditional stitches of the island's lace-makers.
A permanent exhibition of lace can be seen in the local museum.
TORCELLO - The Roman population from the
Venetian mainland took refuge here between the 5th and 7th
centuries A.D. . Still standing are the magnificent 11th century
church of Saint Fosca, and the Cathedral founded in 638 A.D.
Inside the cathedral are soma important mosaics, and the recess
at the end of the church is the large 13th century painting
"Mother of God"; on the facing wall the famous "Last
Judgment" of a slightly earlier period.
