Murano
On the small island of Murano, just a short vaporetto (water bus) journey from the main heart of Venice, you’ll be transported back to a time when the local glassworks were a key part of the city’s commerce. It was here that glassblowing artisans were moved in 1291 when the local authorities decided their furnaces presented too much of a fire risk to the city.
They are still in operation and you can see them making all kinds of remarkable shapes out of a molten sphere of glass. The owners will show you how they ply their trade, the techniques they use today as well as the traditional methods their ancestors used to produce their beautiful works.
For a true education in the art, head to the Murano Glass Museum which you’ll find in the Palazzo Giustinian. On display in the museum you’ll be able to see glasswork collections dating all the way back to the first century AD. Open every day except Wednesdays, you can get onto a guided tour every Tuesday and Thursday.
In the shops all over the island you’ll even be able to find examples of wonderful glass art for sale, in all sizes, shapes and colours. If you want to buy a small trinket as a souvenir then you can find glass beads, animal figures, jewellery and more. Alongside these you’ll find more expensive mirrors and ornaments. Keep an eye out for the trademark Vetro Artistico Murano sign on show in shop windows that stock genuine locally made glass.
The island itself is just a ten-minute vaporetto journey from central Venice. At 1.5 kilometres wide it is easy to get around on foot. Walk through the narrow streets and spot the other attractions of Murano like the Church of Santa Maria and San Donato with its beautiful mosaic floor, as well as the captivating San Pietro Martire church, which houses paintings by Giovanni Bellini.
Most visitors come to Murano for a day trip out of central Venice, but if you want to stay for a little longer then you’ll find a selection of hotels on the island, whilst the local restaurants take it in turns to open for dinner.