THE 10 MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF VENICE

WHAT TO VISIT – SEE IN VENICE
10 ATTRACTIONS NOT TO BE MISSED IN VENICE

MURANO ISLAND + GLASS MUSEUM

– Short historical notes: Murano is one of the largest islands in the Venice lagoon. Actually it is formed by seven small islands crossed by canals and connected one each other by different bridges. Even Murano has its own Grand Canal, flanked by palaces, villas, gardens and churches and crossed by the great Vivarini Bridge, which divides the island into two parts. Murano was the island where the Venetian aristocracy spent their holidays. Murano was born in the barbarian era and was used to escape from the Huns. But the rmost importatn period for the island started in 1291, when Venice decided to move the furnaces of the glassworks in this island in order to avoid to avoid the continuous fires that devastated the city. Murano will also be called “the fires Island” for these reasons. Venice, anyway, imposed to the glass craftsmen (master glassmakers) to never leave the island unless they were expressly authorized. The idea of ​​transfer the glass activities in the Murano island, was the attempt to control and block the information about the main glass manipulation techniques. In the XVI century, Murano had reached the top of its splendor. But, after couple of centuries, following the historical destiny of Venice, it fell into decline due to continuous wars and occupations.
However, traditional glass processing has resisted to every decline, wars and occupations and has survived until our days. You admire it in one of the many furnaces taht you can find on the Murano island. Glass is still, and will always be, the main source of business for the Murano island. Some of the companies that hold historic Murano glass factories are among the most important glass brands in the world.
Today, in order to protect the original Murano glass from foreign markets, the most famous factories of the island have a registered trademark. This trademark certifies that the glass was created on the Murano island (see image). On the Murano island you can visit the Glass Museum located in the Giustiniani Palace. The Museum exhibits both the history of glass art and examples of vitreous artefacts from Egyptian times to the present day.
Click here to view the history of the museum, the routes and the collections proposed (official website).
– Opening time: from 1 November to 31 March 10.00am / 05.00pm (ticket office 10.00am – 04.00pm); from 1 April to 31 October 10.00am / 06.00pm (ticket office 10.00am – 05.00pm)
– Ticket price: Adults 12 euros; Redicced 9.50 euros (Children aged from 6 to 14 years old, over 65 years, holders of Carta Rolling Venice, holders of ISIC – International Student Identity Card.)
Combined ticket Glass Museum (Murano) + Lace Museum (Burano): Adults: 12.00 euros; Reduced: 8.00 euros
– Skip the line: In order to skip the line you have to book the entrance or have already bought the “Museum pass”. Click here to view the official website of the glass museum to book your visit.
– Other monuments / buildings / places to visit: Santa Maria and Donato Cathedral, the Murano lighthouse, San Pietro Martire Church and Da Mula Palace– How to get there: From Piazzale Roma (Bus Stop) or from Santa Lucia (Train station) – Vaporetto (water Buses) number 3 or 4.1 or 4.2 (click here to see the timetable); From San Marco square – Vaporetto (water bus) number 7 (seasonal line – click here to see the timetable)
– Official links: Click here to view the official website of the Murano Glass Museum

FINAL ADVICES: It all depends on how much time you have available and what is the level of your passion for Murano glass. The museum is very beautiful and will take you through all the historical periods of Murano glass production. If you are interested by admire the master glassmakers art, you do not need to go to the museum. All you have to do is to go to one of the various workshops where you can see the master glassmakers who create glass art in front of you. In case you want to visit the museum of glass, I suggest you buy the combined ticket (Glass + Lace – the cost is the same and after Murano you will certainly make a tour in Burano island where the Lace Museumis located).

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