The little island of Murano, also known as the “Glass Island”

The glass and vases of Murano are known all over the world. But what are the components of the glass? Glass as a product is created from silicon mixtures (quartz, sand, sodium, iron, calcium, and more). To create colored glass, the artisan adds some metallic oxides for different colors.Cobalt for blue, Copper for red, and so on.

Murano glass was born in 1295 when Venetian Republic ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano, because in Venice, too many wood buildings were burned during glass making.

Murano glass industries were soon to become very important on an international level, especially for blown glass and vases. Especially the typical products including crystalline glass, enameled glass, glass with threads of gold, milk glass, multicolored glass techniques, imitated in many countries throughout the world, but the original glass of Murano is unique.

Glass and vase production in Murano has not changed during the centuries. Nowadays there aren't new techniques to make the special glass of Murano. The result depends most of all on the expertise and the artistic skills of the glass artisan.

If you would like to see how an artisan makes vases, chalices and tumblers, cups, cornucopie, candlesticks, jewels of Murano, etc., you can take the time to visit the Murano glass factory, where time stopped in the 14th century. One of the main attractions that you can see during your visit at the factory is the typical glass horse, probably the most sold gift to remember Murano and the incredible art of glass.

In the Venetian Lagoon you can also visit the Biennale, contemporary art exhibition. The contemporary artists, with this precious material, do not make only abstract sculptures,
they also make also useful things like decorated tables, lamps, mirrors, and so on.

When you come in this part of Italy to visit the beautiful city of Venice, don’t forget to plan a day trip to explore the islands around la “Serenissima”, and especially the island of glass.

To reach this archipelago you must take the public transport called “vaporetto”, a public waterbus run by the local company ACTV. You can catch this typical bus from Piazzale Roma car parking, or from the central train station “Santa Lucia”. You will be in Murano in about 20 minutes or so.

But if don’t have a time to reach to city centre of Venice, you can take the direct waterbus Alilaguna from Venice “Marco Polo” airport to venetian lagoon.

Anyway, after a vaporetto waterbus crossing, you’ll get off at your destination.

In this island it’s possibile to see many small glass shops and artisan factories. Some of them give you an opportunity to have a demonstration how glassmakers create a glass sculture like small animals, horses, dogs, dolphins, and so on.

The best known shopping area is in called “Fondamenta dei Vetrai”, beyond Murano Colonna waterbus stop. After glass shopping don’t forget to visit the church of St. Peter Martyr, built in 1400, famous for Giovanni Bellini and Paolo Veronese paintings (most famous are “Saint Girolamo in the Desert”, “Assunta and Saints”, and more).

Another beautiful church of Murano is “Santa Maria and Donato Church”, the main cathedral of the island. The church has great floor mosaics made in the XII century and some famous paintings in venetian-byzantine style.

There is much to see as well as to enjoy in Venice and the surrounding lagoon. Enjoy! In the short term, please visit our website at www.caterinaarado.com.


Author: webmaori