torcello

Torcello is a quiet island at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon. It was settled and named in the seventh century by people from Altino, including the Bishop of Altino. They brought the relics of Saint Eliodorus, now the patron saint of the island. Torcello rapidly grew in importance as a political and trading centre. In the tenth century, it had a population of about 10,000 people and was more powerful than Venice, but it then declined. It retained a Grand Council, like that of Venice, who were given the right to nominate a podesta from Venice to govern the island. The Lagoon around the island gradually became a swamp, and almost all the population left for Murano or Venice. It now has a population of around 60 people. Today the island is known for the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639 and with much eleventh century Byzantine work, including mosaics, surviving. Other attractions include the eleventh and twelfth century Church of Santa Fosca and a museum housed in two fourteenth century palaces.

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