Torcello Island

Torcello is a small Venetian island in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy, 10 minutes from Venice by vaporetto. The island was first settled in the year 452 AD by a group of refugees from the mainland, and became one of the most important cities in the Venetian Republic. It was abandoned in the 14th century, and the few remaining inhabitants moved to Venice. Today the island is a popular tourist destination, and is known for its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, its numerous churches, and its beautiful mosaics.