The Basilica of Torcello (VII – XI sec) is a symbol of history and faith, a soul place particularly made special by the surrounding nature. It is without any doubt a destination to visit as it represents the most intimate side of Venice, and is some ways its “beginning”.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, erected in 639 and expanded in 1008, is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and it is the exact image of the Virgin, represented in the central nave in a golden mosaic from the 13th century, that welcomes worshippers on entering the church.
The majestic building, with the light entering from the tall lateral windows, the regular sequencing of the Greek marble columns that divide the interior in to three wide naves, the shining marbles, all this tells us of a perfect coming together of art and spirituality. Even the magnificent floor, with its polychrome panels forming a precious composition of lozenges, circles, petals and complicated geometrical intricacies, appears as a marvellous carpet laid out in homage to the solemnity and holiness of this church. But, it is primarily from the beautiful mosaics that one can sense the importance of the message of devotion that is passed on to us by those, artists and craftsmen, who contributed to the construction of this place. The well-known mosaic of the Last Judgement, positioned on the counter façade, composed as a visual account on three strips proceeding in a downwards direction, captures the eyes of worshipers on their way out of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and invites them to meditate. It is without any doubt one of the most important monuments of the “Veneto-Byzantine” art. The Basilica of Torcello itself is testimony of a Venice that set its grandeur somewhere else but left its deepest spirituality here for ever. One must visit it to understand.
With a presbytery separated by an iconostasis, which divides and isolates the area where the priest gives mass, the structure of the church itself shows strong ties with the oriental church. The iconostasis contains images of the apostles and of the Virgin Mary with Baby in the centre, and is surmounted by a majestic 5th century wooden crucifix. Precious marble balustrades, resulting from excellent craftsmanship, are positioned at the bottom of the iconostasis and contain extremely detailed representations of animals from the Bible, such as lions and peacocks. Booking a visit of the Basilica of Torcello means discovering a different Venice.
Book your visit of the Basilica of Torcello and enter in to a fascinating story of faith, art and mystery.
Purchase now online your entry ticket for the Basilica of Torcello, the Torcello Museum and the annexed valuable audio guide!
And if you want to experience the emotions of a covert visit to the Basilica of Torcello, book now online our new tour “The Basilica of Torcello and its secret itineraries”: a fascinating tour that will lead to the discovery of places that have been kept locked up for centuries…