Information About ™Torcello |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TORCELLO | |
| islands of italy | |
| geography of venice | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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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 Altinum (modern name Altino ), including the Bishop Of Altino . They brought with them 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 Podestà 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 Mosaic s, surviving. Other attractions include the Eleventh and Twelfth Century Church Of Santa Fosca and a Museum housed in two Fourteenth Century Palace s. EXTERNAL LINK |