Page 128 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

126  NOR THEAST IT AL Y

n Torcello
Established between the 5th and 6th centuries,
the island of Torcello boasts the oldest building
in the lagoon – the cathedral of Santa
Maria Assunta. Founded in AD 639,
it contains some splendid ancient
mosaics. The adjoining church of
Santa Fosca, of pure Byzantine
design, is another mark of
Torcello’s former glory. Before
being eclipsed by Venice, the
island had a population of 20,000.
. Doomsday Mosaics
The highly decorative 12th-century
mosaic of the Last Judgment
covers the west wall.

Pulpit
The present basilica dates from
1008, but includes earlier
features. The pulpit contains
7th-century fragments.

KEY
1 The exquisite Byzantine
marble panels of the iconostasis,
or rood screen, are carved with
peacocks, lions and flowers.
2 The Roman sarcophagus,
below the altar, is said to contain
the relics of St Heliodorus.
3 The 13th-century apse mosaic
of the Madonna against a gold
background, is one of the most
beautiful in Venice.
4 The central dome and
cross sections are supported by
columns of Greek marble with
Corinthian capitals.
5 The portico of Santa Fosca,
with its elegant stilted arches, is
built on three sides of the church,
and probably dates from the
12th century. Nave Columns
6 The altar was rebuilt in Two rows of slender marble
1939 and stands below a columns, 18 in all, separate
15th-century wood relief of the three naves. Their finely
Santa Fosca Sleeping. carved capitals date from the
11th century.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp562–5 and pp580–84

126-127_EW_Italy.indd 126 4/4/17 5:32 PM