Quando Torcello era abitata

Abstract

The Torcello island, or rather the Torcello archipelago, is an iconic site for archaeologists. The results of the numerous archaeological campaigns conducted since the end of the nineteenth century had a resonance that far exceeded the lagoon's boundaries. Torcello is considered the cradle of Venetian civilization, a view shared both by Middle Ages historians and Venetians alike.
Torcello is the mythical place of Venice's origins. It represents the historical memory of the entire lagoon. Through its watery solitude, isolated among islands, Torcello has become the symbol of what no longer exists. The glorious and epic past is commemorated by a splendid church, whose beauty is amplified by its standing out in a landscape that appears almost deserted to visitors. Such impression is even greater when one reaches Torcello after having seen Venice. Santa Maria Assunta dominates the ‘barena’ (salt marsh) and the waters, but few surrounding buildings remain. The first question that many visitors ask when they first arrive is, ‘Where is everybody gone to? What happened to the buildings, the bridges, and the city? How can the splendid mosaics and marbles of the Basilica fit in an empty and remote stage?