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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. © 2006 LACT Limited. All rights reserved. Murano Burano Torcello Lido San Michele San Giorgio Giudecca Sitemap
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