Burano Island

Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, although like Venice itself it could more correctly be called an archipelago of four islands linked by bridges. It lies near Torcello at the northern end of the Lagoon, and is known for its lacework.

History

The island was probably settled by the Romans, and in the 6th century was occupied by people from Altino, who named it for one of the gates of their former city. Two stories are attributed to how the city obtained its name. One is that it was initially founded by the Buriana family, and another is that the first settlers of Burano came from the small island of Buranello, c. 8 km to the south.

Although the island soon became a thriving settlement, it was administered from Torcello and had none of the privileges of that island or of Murano. It rose in importance only in the 16th century, when women on the island began making lace with needles, being introduced to such a trade via Venetian-ruled Cyprus. When Leonardo da Vinci visited in 1481, he visited the small town of Lefkara and purchased a cloth for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano. The lace was soon exported across Europe, but trade began to decline in the 18th century and the industry did not revive until 1872, when a school of lacemaking was opened. Lacemaking on the island boomed again, but few now make lace in the traditional manner as it is extremely time-consuming and therefore expensive.

Culture and Main Sights

Burano is also known for its small, brightly-painted houses, popular with artists. The designer Philippe Starck owns three houses. The colours of the houses follow a specific system originating from the golden age of its development; if someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will respond by making notice of the certain colours permitted for that lot. This practice has resulted in the myriad of warm, pastel colours that characterises the island today.

Other attractions include the Church of San Martino, with a campanile, the Oratorio di Santa Barbara and the Museum and School of Lacemaking.

As of 26 April 2011, the Lace Museum in Burano is still closed. The sign in the windows simply says "The Lace Museum is closed until Spring 2011 for requalification and restoration works. We apologize for the inconvenience."

(from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)