Have you ever seen someone transform sand, air and fire into a work of art? If you haven’t done so, know that there is a place in Italy where all this is possible, but if you have already admired this show it is good to know that there is always an excellent reason to return to this magical destination in our country. . Let’s talk about Muranoa pearl of the Veneto waiting to be discovered.
Murano: useful information
Murano is a picturesque town located in the magnificent Venetian Lagoon, north-east of Venice. It is a truly special village, because it is spread over seven pretty islands located along the Marani canal. Taking a trip there means finding yourself in the presence of a riot of canals, canals and bridges that make the atmosphere highly exciting.
A walk in these parts, in fact, allows you to admire low houses with colorful facades that mix harmoniously with elegant buildings. Not to mention the views which are truly suggestive and in particular at sunset, when the lagoon becomes more romantic than ever.
The inhabitants of Murano are distinguished from those of many other places in the world because they are masters of craftsmanshipand above all glass which, despite being a humble material, was transformed into something particularly precious by their hands.
Read also: 9 top-notch day trips from Venice
What see
Murano is beautiful, far and wide and in every corner it has there is something that manages to strike visitors. Many know it for its reputation for mastery of glass manufacturing, but in reality this Venetian village is a succession of attractions to visit, and starting from its splendid Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato.
This building alone is worth the trip and there are mainly two reasons: it is one of the oldest churches in the lagoon, and it is also a splendid example of lagoon Romanesque.
Of uncertain origins, it offers an apparently simple façade but which hides a pleasant surprise: turning around the perimeter of the church, you will find yourself in front of a magnificent apse with Byzantine arches and white marble columns. The interior is certainly no exception, as there are wonderful mosaics on a gold background, in Byzantine style, and a floor mosaic in colored tiles depicting biblical characters through early Christian allegories.
Then again Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli which, over the years, has been a lazaret, a hospital and a home for poor families. It overlooks the canal of the same name, on one of the extreme edges of the island.
While in the southernmost area lies the former Church of Santa Chiara whose origins date back to 1231. A building that has experienced various vicissitudes over time, until it suffered a partial collapse and found itself in an abandoned state. However, a renovation and conversion project was undertaken in 2012 with the intention of creating a space for the presentation of glass making.
The elegant room is also very beautiful Palace of Mula which often hosts exhibitions and displays, as is very interesting Church of San Pietro Martire which within its walls hides paintings by Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese. Finally, the very famous Murano lighthouse. Like any worthy landscape on the water with romantic profiles, this lighthouse also resists the passage of time and the elements, so much so that it is still in operation.
It is considered the guardian of the Venice lagoon, and its shape and grandeur are reminiscent of solitary lighthouses in the middle of the ocean. Frompurely Venetian eleganceis surrounded by small colored houses that create a particular harmony with the blue of the sky and the sea and with the white of the material with which it was built, namely Istrian stone.
The art of Murano glass
It is said that, way back in 1291, the Doge decided to move all the glassworks in Venice to Murano. From that moment on, this simple material became the greatest pride and precious asset of this Venetian island.
The artisans, in these parts, have always been extremely respected as creators of a jealously protected centuries-old art. Together with them there are two helpers, called servente and serventino, who are fundamental in the blowing process.
The slow but fascinating manufacturing process gives life to true works of art, finished and cared for down to the smallest details, and all rigorously Made in Italy.
Where to admire glass processing
The former Church of Santa Chiara is one of the places where admire the art of Murano glass. Today, in fact, it is a magnificent space for corporate events and private parties with an active furnace for glass processing inside. Restored and reopened to the public in 2016, its official name is now The Glass Cathedral – Santa Chiara, and it is possible to live an immersive experience in the contemporary art of Murano glass.
Also unmissable is the Glass Museum which has been delighting visitors since 1861. It was initially conceived as an archive of documents that could testify to the history and life on the island but, thanks to generous donations from local glassmakers, today it is a splendid museum that we can all visit.
A place not to be missed because it allows you to take a journey through the seven hundred years of history of Murano glass, from the fourteenth century to the present day.
Your eyes and soul will be very happy to discover it, because it contains masterpieces of glass art from all historical periods. There is also the possibility of deepening your knowledge of the processing of this material and the different possible techniques. All inside an elegant Venetian Gothic style palace which was even the residence of the bishops of Torcello.
Finally, a trip to Murano cannot ignore a visit to one of the many glass laboratories that develop within the village. Here, in fact, you will have the opportunity to closely observe how all the artefacts on display in the museum are made.
Typically you can attend an explanation of the production process and the blowing technique, then the journey continues towards the furnace where a master craftsman shows and talks about how the precious blown glass objects are created.
The visit ends with a small stop in the company outlet for anyone wishing to purchase jewellery, sculptures, chandeliers and murrine at a discount. Finally, for those who wish, there is also the possibility of taking part in glass modeling and jewelery creation courses and workshops.
Read also:Boom in cruises between Christmas and New Year: the favorite destinations
Exploring the top attractions along the Grand Canal in Venice
