Venice Day 5

The houses on Burano

A Torcello garden on our way from Locanda Cipriani to the ferry landing

The garden at Locanda Cipriani from our table

Joycee enjoying an aperitif at Locanda Cipriani

Seated on my throne in front of the Basilica

The Basilica on Torcello

For our last day in Venice we visited Torcello, an outlying island about 30 via water taxi minutes from our hotel, Bauer Palladio, on Giudecca. It is well worth the trip. First and foremost, the Last Judgment mosaic in the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta rivals the Ravenna mosaics in both beauty and size. Whatever else has been done to the interior of the Basilica, the Last Judgment is truly awe-inspiring, whatever the religious beliefs or non-beliefs of the viewer. By all means take with you the detailed description found in the Michelin guide to Venice: I would not have known without it that the fair skinned child seated in the lap of Lucifer is the Antichrist. I could not help but be impressed with the punishments meted out for the Seven Deadly Sins; in case you were wondering about the punishment for the Covetous, the mosaic shows skulls whose eyesockets are filled with worms!

The adjoining museum is very small but filled with artifacts from as long ago as the 7th century B.C., including instruments for applying leeches to the skin.

On the grounds outside of the church there is a white (alabaster?) throne-like chair, which so reminded me of the Pope's throne in Avignon that I knew I had to be photographed seated on it.

We had a most delightful pranzo at Locanda Cipriani; Locanda would be a perfect place for a honeymoon (as one of my friends did many years ago), but book well ahead of time: there are only a few rooms.

We walked from Locanda to the ferry dock after lunch and were overwhelmed by the physical beauty of Torcello. We returned to Giudecca via Burano, the lace-making island, and spent a few minutes strolling the colorful streets while waiting for the ferry back to San Marco. All in all a splendid day!