Murano is the island in Venice’s lagoon where the Republic relocated its glassmakers in 1291, officially for fire safety, actually to keep trade secrets under armed guard. A law banned glassblowers from leaving on pain of death, but paradoxically elevated them socially: by the 14th century they carried swords, enjoyed legal immunity, and married into noble families. The result was three centuries of unmatched glassmaking innovation, including Angelo Barovier’s 15th-century invention of cristallo, the first near-transparent glass in the world. The Museo del Vetro traces 1,000 years of the craft. Vaporetto lines 3, 4.1, or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove, 15 minutes.
island in Venice
Murano
The glassmaking island where Venetian glass production was relocated in 1291. Watching a master glassblower work in a furnace is one of the lagoon's most memorable experiences. The Museo del Vetro traces the craft's 1,000-year history.
- Type
- island
- Destination
- Venice
- Cost
- Free to visit
- Founded
- 1291
- Era
- Medieval
- Address
- 30141 Venice
- Coordinates
- 45.4297, 12.3598
- Official website
- Visit website