24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello. It recounts the history of the island of Torcello and its relations with Venice and the hinterland. It is located, in what was the two palaces of the Archives and of the Council.
Reaching its maximum development in the 10th century, Torcello, was before Rialto and Venice; the leading city of the lagoon and a flourishing place dedicated to commerce.
Founded at the end of 19th century, the Provincial Museum of Torcello, is divided into two different sections: the archaeological and the medieval and modern section.
Close by, are the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and its bell-tower and the Church of Santa Fosca.
- Archaeological and Venetian History Museum
- Located next to Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca
- Cost: €3 (adults), €1.50 (reduced)
- Suggested duration: 1 hour
- Vaporetto stops: Venice Fondamenta Nuovo (Line 12) to Murano – Burano – Torcello. Alternatively take Line 14 from San Zaccaria (close to St Mark’s Square) to Burano and change there to Line 9 for Torcello.
- Archaeological and Venetian History Museum
- Located next to Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca
- Cost: €3 (adults), €1.50 (reduced)
- Suggested duration: 1 hour
- Vaporetto stops: Venice Fondamenta Nuovo (Line 12) to Murano – Burano – Torcello. Alternatively take Line 14 from San Zaccaria (close to St Mark’s Square) to Burano and change there to Line 9 for Torcello.
INTRODUCTION
The Torcello Museum tells the story of an island that dates back to the 1st century AD.
It was a landing point and commercial exchange in the lagoon; between the sea and the hinterland. It was essentially the first port of call, for the Roman city of Altino, on the mainland. There, it linked to the main ancient roads connecting the east and north of Europe; the via Annia and the via Claudia Augusta.
Inhabited and equipped with port and commercial structures, inserted in the imperial Roman economic system; Torcello developed further over the centuries of the barbarian invasions. It offered the fleeing population of the mainland, a safe place to reside and trade.
Reaching its maximum development in the 10th century, Torcello was before Rialto and Venice, the main city of the lagoon; a flourishing place dedicated to commerce.
Museo Provinciale di Torcello – HISTORY
- In 1870, Luigi Torelli, the prefect of Venice, purchased the Palazzo del Consiglio; to house a centre of archaeological artefacts found in Torcello, its adjacent islands and the nearby mainland.
- In 1872, after Torelli had given the building to the Province of Venice; the Museum was founded, assigning the direction to Nicolò Battaglini.
- In 1887, Cesare Augusto Levi took over, continuing the collection from the area and added other items; which he gathered during his travels, especially in Rome.
- In that same year, he bought the Palazzo dell’Archivio, restored it and moved the archaeological collection there; naming it the “Museo dell’Estuario” and donating it to the provincial authorities.
- On May 14 1889, the “Museo Provinciale di Torcello” was inaugurated.
- In 1909, Levi was succeeded by Luigi Conton, who discovered various necropolis in Adria; from where he probably brought some of his findings to Torcello.
- Between 1928 and 1930, the collections were rearranged under the management of Adolfo Callegari, the director until 1948. In his period, inventories, cataloguing and restoration were undertaken; including the publication in 1930, of the catalogue “Il museo di Torcello”.
- In 1949, the direction was assigned to Giulia Fogolari, who, with the assistance of Guido Zattera; supervised the museum until 1997.
- n 1974, after a radical restoration of the Palazzo del Consiglio and reorganisation of the exhibited pieces; the medieval and modern sections were opened.
- In the following years, the Palazzo dell’Archivio was restored and the present archaeological section was inaugurated in the summer of 1990, with a new layout.
- From 2005 to 2006, the Palazzo del Consiglio was restored and safety regulations updated.
Today the Metropolitan City of Venice – in addition to the restoration of the two buildings has taken care of the cataloging and scientific study of the museum heritage in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the Ca ‘Foscari University and the Region of Veneto.
COLLECTIONS
The Museum houses a collection of works reflecting the history of the Venetian lagoon from private collections, archaeological finds and artefacts purchased by collectors, as well as handicrafts discovered in Torcello, the adjacent islands and the neighbouring mainland.
The museum is divided into two main sections:
- The Archaeological Section: which is housed in the Palazzo dell’Archivio, contains archaeological finds coming from the Lagoon and relics from other areas; dating from the Palaeolithic era to the late-Roman period.
- The Medieval and Modern Section: which is housed in the Palazzo del Consiglio, contains objects and documents from the first centuries of the Christian Era, until the 19th century presenting the history of the island of Torcello and its relations with the area of Altino, the Byzantine culture and the city of Venice.
ABOVE: Aerial view of Torcello. Waterbus stop at top left, with canal and various restaurants, running towards the historic centre with Cathedral of St Mary Assunta and Bell-tower.
Links (internal–external)
Official Website: Museo Provinciale di Torcello-English
Winter time: 1/11-28/02 10:00 – 17:00
Summer time: 1/03-31/10 10:30 – 17:30
Closed:on Monday and national festivities, 21st November (opened 15st August)
Tickets: full price Euro 3,00
Reduced price Euro 1,50 (for groups more than 10 people, Children aged 6 to 12 ).
Free admission for classes accompanied by teachers and for children up to 5 years and UE citizens over 65.
Contacts
Phone: +39 041730761
Phone: +39 0412501780-4 o +39 0412765001 from Monday to Thursday (during working hours)
Fax: 041 5328508
E-mail: [email protected]
To widen your experience and enjoyment before visiting, please see my comprehensive and illustrated posts, linked below:
The Venetian Lagoon and its Ecosystem
TOP 25 MUSEUMS. Select your museum and click on the link.
1 – Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace)
2 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection
6 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco
7 – San Servolo Insa*e Asylum Museum
8 – Palazzo Grassi (Francois Pinault Collection)
11 – Fondazione Querini Stampalia
16 – Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
18 – Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
20 – Fondazione Emilio e Annabianca Vedova
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello (not linked)
25 – Museo Archeologico Nazionale
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello 24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello 24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello 24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello