Keywords: Mazzorbo Venice, Church of Santa Caterina, Venissa vineyard, Burano bridge, Venice lagoon islands, things to do near Burano, Venice off the beaten path, Venice day trips
🌸 Introduction: The Lagoon’s Quiet Secret
Just a short wooden bridge away from Burano’s rainbow of houses lies Mazzorbo — an island that seems to exist in another rhythm. No crowds, no souvenir stalls, no rush. Just vineyards, canals, gardens, and the faint echo of church bells that have been ringing for nearly 800 years.
While most travelers stop at Burano for photos, few cross the Ponte Longo to discover Mazzorbo’s calm embrace. Those who do are rewarded with silence, stories, and scenery that feel like Venice before tourism — when boats were for fishing, bells marked time, and wine grew on salt-kissed soil.
Here, the Church of Santa Caterina stands as one of the oldest in the lagoon, the Venissa vineyard revives an ancient grape once thought extinct, and the air carries the scent of grass and tide. This is Venice at its purest: humble, spiritual, and breathtakingly authentic.
In this complete guide, we’ll show you why Mazzorbo deserves a place on your itinerary — what to see, how to get there, where to eat, and how to experience it all with Tour Leader Venice as your insider companion.
📍 Where Is Mazzorbo?
Mazzorbo lies in the northern Venetian Lagoon, just beside Burano. The two islands are connected by a wooden footbridge called Ponte Longo, so seamless that many visitors cross it without realizing they’ve stepped onto a new island.
Unlike Burano’s vibrant façades, Mazzorbo is understated — a patchwork of greenery, gardens, canals, and low-slung farmhouses. Its mood is contemplative, almost monastic. If Burano is the artist painting with bright strokes, Mazzorbo is the quiet poet watching the tide roll in.
🌟 Why Visit Mazzorbo?
- 🌾 Fewer tourists — Most visitors skip it, leaving you with tranquil paths and open skies.
- 🏛️ Rich history — Once home to noble families and convents that shaped early Venetian life.
- 🔔 Ancient bells — The lagoon’s oldest surviving bell still rings here, cast in 1318.
- 🍇 Lagoon vineyards — Mazzorbo revives the legendary Dorona grape within Venissa’s walled gardens.
- 🌤️ Space to breathe — Perfect for slow walks, photography, or a picnic by the water.
In short: if you crave peace after Venice’s bustle, Mazzorbo is your antidote — authentic, soulful, and still beautifully real.
🏛️ The Church of Santa Caterina: A Treasure of the Lagoon
At the heart of Mazzorbo stands the Church of Santa Caterina, one of the oldest churches in the entire Venetian Lagoon. Step inside, and you’re not just entering a building — you’re entering centuries of silence.
🕰️ A Living History
Though its origins date back to the 8th century, the current structure mostly reflects the 14th and 15th centuries. It once formed part of a Benedictine convent that played a vital role in the spiritual life of early Venice. Fires, floods, and time nearly erased it — until devoted locals restored it, stone by stone.
Today, the church stands quietly among gardens and canals, still serving its small parish, its bells marking the rhythm of lagoon life.
🔔 The Oldest Bell in the Lagoon
The bell of Santa Caterina is legendary. Cast in 1318, it’s the oldest functioning bell in Venice — older than the Campanile of St. Mark’s. Its sound is soft but resonant, echoing across the marshes at dusk, a heartbeat from medieval Venice that still beats today.
🎨 Inside the Church
- Wooden beams that frame the ceiling like an inverted ship’s hull
- Soft brick walls and filtered light from narrow windows
- Medieval frescoes and quiet icons of saints
- A sacred stillness that feels untouched by time
Sit for a few moments. Listen to the wind. You’ll hear the lagoon’s pulse — slow, eternal, full of memory.
🍇 Venissa: The Vineyard of the Lagoon
Just steps from Santa Caterina lies one of Venice’s most extraordinary places — Venissa, a walled vineyard and wine estate that brings the lagoon’s agricultural heritage back to life.
Here, the rare Dorona di Venezia grape — nearly lost after centuries of floods and neglect — has been revived. It’s a golden-skinned white grape once grown in the Doge’s private gardens, now cultivated once more in the salty air of Mazzorbo.
The vineyard sits behind medieval brick walls, with rows of vines reflected in the still lagoon. You can walk among them, taste the wine, or simply admire the artistry that brought this miracle back from extinction.
Within the estate, you’ll find:
- 🍽️ Venissa Ristorante — a Michelin-starred experience where each dish tells a story of land and sea.
- 🍷 Osteria Contemporanea — a relaxed spot for cicchetti and lagoon wine tastings.
- 🏡 Wine resort and garden paths — perfect for a slow afternoon among vines and sculptures.
We can arrange a private visit or lunch at Venissa paired with a walking tour of Mazzorbo and neighboring Burano. This experience connects culture, flavor, and scenery — all the best sides of Venice in one serene afternoon.
🚶 What to Do on Mazzorbo
1️⃣ Walk the Island Pathways
Mazzorbo’s paths are quiet, green, and perfect for wandering. Follow the canals lined with willows and stone bridges. You’ll pass kitchen gardens, ancient walls, and glimpses of Burano’s colorful skyline across the bridge. Every step feels like a meditation.
2️⃣ Visit the Church of Santa Caterina
Open most days (check seasonal hours), this is a must-see for lovers of architecture, spirituality, and history. Bring a small donation — the community maintains it with care and pride.
3️⃣ Explore Venissa’s Gardens and Art Installations
Beyond wine, Venissa is a living art space. Stroll through sculptures, vineyards, and wooden walkways with views of Torcello’s bell tower shimmering in the distance.
4️⃣ Take a Private Boat Tour of the Northern Lagoon
Mazzorbo makes an ideal starting point for discovering the lagoon’s quieter side. From here, you can explore:
- Torcello — the ancient cradle of Venice.
- Hidden lagoon islands — like San Francesco del Deserto, home to Franciscan monks.
- Sant’Erasmo — the “vegetable garden of Venice,” with orchards and farms.
Each route tells a different story of Venice — one that starts far from the crowds and reconnects you with nature and history.
🛶 How to Get to Mazzorbo
🚤 By Vaporetto (Public Water Bus)
From Fondamente Nove in Venice, take Line 12 toward Burano. The journey takes about 40–45 minutes. Mazzorbo has its own stop — get off one stop before Burano to start exploring from the quieter side.
🚤 By Private Boat (Recommended!)
Travel like a Venetian with our private lagoon tour or island-hopping experience. Enjoy hotel pickup, flexible timing, and a licensed guide who’ll reveal the stories behind each island — including Mazzorbo’s hidden corners and its connection to Venice’s oldest monastic communities.
🕰️ When to Visit Mazzorbo
- 🌸 Spring (April–June): Vineyards in bloom and mild breezes — ideal for walking tours.
- 🍂 Fall (September–October): Golden vines, grape harvests, and rich colors across the lagoon.
- 🌅 Early morning or late afternoon: Soft light, calm water, and that perfect sense of solitude.
- 🙏 Feast of St. Catherine (November 25): The local community celebrates their patron saint — a rare glimpse of authentic Venetian devotion.
🎒 What to Bring
- 👟 Comfortable walking shoes — expect gravel and grassy paths.
- 📷 A camera — for the church, vineyard, and lagoon panoramas.
- 🕶️ Sun protection — the island is open and bright.
- 🧘 A calm spirit — this is a place to slow down, not rush.
💡 Local Tip from Tour Leader Venice
For one of the most magical experiences in the lagoon, follow this simple route:
- Start your day in Mazzorbo with a visit to Santa Caterina.
- Walk through Venissa’s vineyard and taste their golden wine.
- Cross the wooden bridge to Burano for a seafood lunch or aperitivo along the canal.
In just a few hours, you’ll experience the lagoon’s full spectrum — silence, flavor, color, and light — far from the crowds yet deeply connected to the essence of Venice.
💬 Final Thoughts: Mazzorbo, The Lagoon’s Gentle Soul
In a lagoon famous for its glamour, Mazzorbo stands apart — humble, ancient, and profoundly beautiful. It’s a place where the city’s noise fades into the sound of bells and birds, where vines grow in brackish soil, and where Venice’s past feels close enough to touch.
Come for the church, stay for the peace. Watch the light shift over the water, taste wine born from salt and sun, and feel the rhythm of a Venice that still belongs to Venetians.
In Mazzorbo, time doesn’t stop — it simply slows to match the tide.
🚤 Discover Mazzorbo with Tour Leader Venice
We organize private lagoon tours and island experiences that bring the real Venice to life. Each one combines culture, comfort, and connection — away from the crowds and close to the heart.
- Venice Tour of the Lagoon — Discover the Hidden Gems
- Unforgettable 6-Hour Island Hopping Excursion
- Venetian Rowing Experience — see the lagoon from water level, just like locals do.
Our licensed guides can include Mazzorbo, Burano, and Torcello in a single, seamless day — with private transfers, storytelling, and optional tastings at Venissa.
📅 Book your lagoon experience today
📧 Email: info@tourleadervenice.com
📱 Follow: @tourleadervenice
🌐 Visit: tourleadervenice.com
Mazzorbo is Venice as it once was — and as it should always be.
