Murano, Glass-making island in Venice, Italy
Description
Murano is a cluster of seven small islands in the Venetian Lagoon system, situated roughly a mile and a half north of Venice's historic center. The islands are connected by stone bridges, and narrow canals divide the settlement into several sections.
History
The Venetian Republic moved all glass furnaces from the main city to these islands in 1291 to reduce the risk of fire in the densely built capital. Over the following centuries, a closed community of glassmakers developed here with closely guarded techniques.
Culture
Glass furnaces still burn in workshops along the canals, where craftspeople work using methods passed down through centuries. Visitors can watch through open doorways as molten glass is shaped into vases and sculptures.
Practical
Water buses depart regularly from several stops in Venice and reach multiple docks on the islands. The main landing point is near the lighthouse, from where workshops and churches can be explored comfortably on foot.
Did you know?
Inside the Basilica Santa Maria e Donato, four large bones rest behind the altar, said by legend to belong to a dragon slain by Saint Donatus. They are most likely the ribs of a prehistoric whale.
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Church of Santa Maria e San Donato
280 m
Murano Glass Museum
274 m
San Pietro Martire
274 m
Murano lighthouse
528 m
Santa Maria degli Angeli
394 m
Palazzo da Mula
228 m
San Matteo
508 m
Palais Trevisan
310 m
Église Santo Stefano
219 m
San Mattia
363 m
Ca' Soranzo
322 m
Ponte del Campo Sportivo
345 m
Ponte San Martino
342 m
Ponte San Pietro Martire
273 m
Ponte de le Terese
222 m
Ca' Correr Grimani
297 m
Ponte Longo or Vivarini
192 m
Ponte San Donato
321 m
Ponte Serenella
530 m
Ca' Ballarin
447 m
Ca'Miotto Zecchin
532 m
Ca Pesaro Pavanello
309 m
Palazzo Giustinian
269 m
Ponte de Mezo
462 m
Ospizio Briati and Oratorio
458 m
Ponte Angelo Zaniol
316 m
Palazzetto Barovier
272 m
Campanile Santo Stefano
242 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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