Murano: Famous for its Glass and Mosaics
© Sirtis Frank - FOTOLIA
Murano is located in the
Venetian Lagoon, approximately one kilometre to the north of Venice.
Like Venice it is an archipelago of individual islands joined by bridges
and divided by canals.
Murano is not an elegant tourist destination but an industrial town with
a population of approximately 8,000. However, it possesses several
attractions which should not be missed.
The skyline of Murano is dominated by the ships-keel roof and campanile
of its 12th century Byzantine church, the Santi Maria e Donato.
The church is also notable for its exquisite colonnaded apse, the
interior of whose dome is decorated by a radiantly hypnotic image of the
Virgin Mary.
The church also contains some beautiful Byzantine mosaics and claims to
possess the bones of the dragon slain by Saint Donatus.
The neighbouring church of San Pietro Martire possesses two exquisite
altarpieces by Giovanni Bellini.
© st123 - FOTOLIA
Murano was originally a
prosperous fishing port which possessed its own Grand Council and minted
its own coins. However as Venetian power grew, it was overshadowed and
fell into decline, eventually being absorbed by Venice in 1290.
One year later all the glass manufacturers were expelled from Venice so
that the noxious fumes of their furnaces would not pollute the city.
Murano greeted them with open arms and subsequently became known as the
“island of flames” on account of the multitude of furnaces that
illuminated its night sky.
Murano subsequently became the principal centre of European glass
production and the Museo Vetrario, located in the Palazzo Giustinian,
demonstrates how glass making evolved locally. The displays include some
truly exquisite pieces such as the 15th century crystalware produced by
the master craftsman, Angelo Barovier.
Barovier devised a method of eliminating soda ash and other impurities
in order to produce a highly refined crystal which permitted
revolutionary curvilinear shapes, netted and twisted decorative threads,
translucent frosted designs and various incalmo techniques.
New enamelled decorative techniques and diamond-point engraving were
pioneered later in the 17th century. Aventurine glass, coloured by
excessive deposits of metal oxides, was also invented in Murano.
© Wendy Kaveney - FOTOLIA
The glass-making trade was
virtually destroyed as a result of the French invasion of 1797. However,
a strong revival occurred during the late 19th century and glass
production remains the island’s principal industry. In recent years
cheap imports have forced the closure of several factories.
There are numerous shops in Murano offering an extensive range of
glassware and several furnaces where visitors can watch and even
participate in the manufacture of glass.
It only takes 15 minutes to reach Murano by vaporetto from the Piazza
San Marco.
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