Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, although like Venice itself it could more correctly be called an archipelago of four islands linked by bridges. It lies near Torcello at the northern end of the Lagoon, and is known for its lacework, pastry and most of all for its colorful houses.
The current population of Burano is about 2,800. Burano actually consists of four individual islands, which are separated by narrow, 10 meters wide canals, rio Pontinello in the west, rio Zuecca in the south und rio Terranova in the east. Burano has historically been subdivided in to five sestieri, much like the historical center of Venice.
The island was probably settled by the Romans, and in the 6th century was occupied by people from Altino, who named it for one of the gates of their former city. Two stories are attributed to how the city obtained its name. One is that it was initially founded by the Buriana family, and another is that the first settlers of Burano came from the small island of Buranello, c. 8 km to the south.
Although the island soon became a thriving settlement, it was administered from Torcello and had none of the privileges of that island or of Murano. It rose in importance only in the 16th century, when women on the island began making lace with needles, being introduced to such a trade via Venetian-ruled Cyprus
Burano is also known for its small, brightly-painted houses, popular with artists.
Other attractions include the Church of San Martino, with its famous leaning bell tower
