The Island of Burano - Italy

VENICE - PART THREE

 

A BOUQUET OF RICHLY- HUED HOUSES

 



 

Photography  & Text  by C. Whitney-Ward

 

THIS IS THE FIRST HOUSE that you see when you step off the boat at the tiny island of BURANO, Italy - a delightful 45 minute ferry ride north from Venice along the Venetian Lagoon. There are several stories about why all the houses in this charming fishing/lace-making village are painted the colors of persimmons, raspberries, key limes and cotton candy. According to the wonderful book Secret Venice,  the rainbow-colored houses first appeared in the Middle Ages to designate which houses were spared from the plague. Another suggests that the bright colors  served as a beacon for  fisherman returning home when the lagoon was shrouded in fog.

 

Regardless, Burano is delightful and a wonderful half-day outing. You can stroll along the narrow streets, take a thousand photographs, nip into a few of the lace shops, and then find a table along one of the  canals to take a leisurely lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

And, if any of the 2,800 residents  want to re-paint their house, they need special permission. Only designated colors are allowed. 

 

 

 

 



 

Front doors are protected from the sun by brightly colored curtains, and vibrant shutters and awnings abound.

 



 

 



 



 

Flower boxes  and washing hang below windows adding  even more

 charm to this diminutive island.

 

 

 

Burano consists of four individual islands all connected by canals (and bridges) where beautiful old (and new) fishing boats are moored.

 

 

 

 

 

 And then there are the reflections - beautiful water  mirrors  shimmering with surreal shadows of  the painterly houses just above. Click on the video below...

 

 

Next...VENICE - TO MARKET TO MARKET

 

 

 

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