On 15 August the island of Torcello celebrates its most important day of the year with the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, the feast to which the cathedral on this small island in the Venetian Lagoon is dedicated. The Virgin of the Assumption is depicted in the central apse of the Basilica in a magnificent 12th-century mosaic. Founded in the early Middle Ages, the bishopric of Torcello stretched from the island of San Michele di Murano across the entire northern Venice lagoon as far as the lagoon’s edge at Altino, and later also included Jesolo and Eraclea. As a diocese, Torcello enjoyed its heyday in the 11th century with the reconstruction of the cathedral in the Romanesque-Byzantine architectural style, which is still perfectly preserved today. The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the nearby Church of Santa Fosca are the last remaining examples of Torcello’s ancient churches, precious testimonies to the glorious past of an island which, before the rise of Venice, was the main settlement in the lagoon.
In occassion of Ferragosto, the religious programme includes a Solemn Mass in the afternoon in the splendid Basilica, followed by the traditional concert of sacred music (free admission) by the Venice Chamber Orchestra ‘L’Offerta musicale’ (featuring works by Handel, Vivaldi, Bach and Pergolesi).