Official Information
Official website: https://www.patriarcatovenezia.it/basilica-di-santa-maria-assunta-di-torcello/
Tickets: Only available on site at the basilica complex
Address: Isola di Torcello, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
According to the Patriarchate’s information, the basilica is generally open daily; roughly 1 March–31 October from about 10:30–18:00 (last admission around 17:30) and 1 November–29 February from about 10:00–17:00 (last admission around 16:30). The bell tower has slightly shorter hours. Both are closed 25 December and 1 January; times can change, so always check the latest notice before travelling.
Torcello’s Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and its bell tower form one of the most evocative heritage sites in the Venetian lagoon. Once the most important settlement in the area, Torcello is now sparsely inhabited, yet its cathedral complex tells the story of Venice’s origins. Founded in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 11th, the basilica is a striking example of Italo-Byzantine architecture. The exterior is marked by a sober brick façade and small portico, which also displays fragments of ancient stonework. Inside, visitors encounter two of the most celebrated mosaic cycles in northern Italy: a radiant gold apse mosaic with the Virgin and Child surrounded by saints, and a dramatic Last Judgement on the west wall, featuring a dense narrative of angels, resurrected souls and demons. The nave’s simple colonnades and geometric marble floor pattern recall early Christian basilica design.
Admission to the basilica typically includes entry to the small baptistery and often to the nearby church of Santa Fosca, an intimate early medieval structure with Byzantine influences. The separate bell tower, climbed by a series of ramps and stairs (no lift), offers stunning views across the lagoon to Burano, the nearby marshes, and even the Alps on clear days.
Visits to Torcello are usually combined with a vaporetto (waterbus) ride on line 12 from Venice or Burano, making this a rewarding half-day excursion that blends nature and cultural discovery. Tickets must be purchased on site, and while short queues sometimes form in high season, crowds are generally light compared to central Venice. Please dress modestly, as the basilica is a functioning church. The island only has a few restaurants and bars, so it is advisable to check their opening hours if you plan to dine. Many visitors combine Torcello with stops at nearby Burano and Murano, but the basilica especially rewards those who take their time to appreciate its serene atmosphere and intricate artworks.