Page 156 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

154  VENICE AREA B Y AREA

1 Torcello

Established between the 5th and 6th centuries, . Apse Mosaic
Torcello grew into a thriving colony (see The 13th-century
Madonna, set against
p44), with palaces, churches and a a gold background, is
population said to have reached one of the most moving
20,000. But with the rise of mosaics in Venice.
Venice the island went into
decline. Today, the population is
just 60 and all that remains of
this once vigorous island is the
Byzantine cathedral, the church
of Santa Fosca and the memory
of its former glory.

. Domesday Mosaics
The huge and highly
decorative mosaic of the
Last Judgment covers the
entire west wall.

Pulpit
The present basilica
dates from 1008,
but includes many
earlier features.
The marble pulpit
is made of
fragments from
the first, 7th-
century church.

KEY
1 The Roman sarcophagus
below the altar is said to contain
the relics of St Heliodorus.
2 The marble nave columns . Iconostasis
have finely carved capitals dating The exquisite Byzantine
from the 11th century. marble panels of the rood
3 The central dome and screen are carved with
cross-sections are supported peacocks, lions and flowers.
by columns of Greek marble This detailed relief shows
with fine Corinthian capitals. two peacocks drinking from
the fountain of life.

154-155_EW_Venice.indd 154 8/18/17 11:16 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm