For centuries not only the escape, but any idea of leaving the Murano island was very dangerous and risky.
The death and loss of the properties were waiting for everyone, who tried to get out of the island without the strict permission.
And all the precautions were necessary to keep the secret of the lagoon island, just about a mile from San Marco square in Venice, the most guarded secret of Medieval Ages: the art of making Glass.
And for the centuries this secret was bringing prosperity to the citizens of Murano, who starting from 14th century enjoyed many privileges – the government independent from Venice, own coin and tax regulations – Between 15th and 17th centuries Murano mirrors and chandeliers were the best and only in Europe, this was the time when many of members of aristocracy built their own residences – palazzi on the island.
The end of 18th century brought new fashion – the first European porcelain from Saxony, and thick crystal Czech glass, good for deep cuts, which soon replaced the filigrane Venetian one.
After the years of decline at the end of the next century the old families of manufacturers ( Barovier, Toso and Seguro) brought back the Venetian glass to the fashion.
Today there are no problems neither with going out nor with coming to the island.
There are public Vaporetti lines (41, 42 LN from Fondamente Nouve, DM from Piazzale Roma), and with a bit of luck you can go there for free – in the high season the glass manufactures prepare the boats which take the tourists from the centre of Venice directly to the glass factories. In the factory guests can watch the process of glass hand-making, visit the exhibition of the old glass collections, and often buy some glass in the factory shop.
The outlay of Murano is very similar to the Venice’s one, the group of 10 islands, that are divided by several small canals with picturesques bridges hanging above.
Some of the most famous manufacturers in Murano are:
Venini
Fondamenta Vetrai 50
Barovier e Toso
Fondamenta Vetrai 28
Carlo Moretti
Fondamenta Manin 3/13 .
Before the shopping It is worth to visit the museum of glass Museo Vetrario Antico located in Palazzo Giustinian, with pieces from ancient era , through Middle Ages (Angelo Barovier glass ) to the modern times.
Along the principal canal there are nomerous shops and art galleries selling the stuff from the factory located nearby, which often shows how the glass is made.
Besides the glass factories and museums the most important monument of architecture in Murano is the church basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato with the floor mosaic from 1140 which reppresents the animals and mystic creatures.
Church San Pietro Martire with beautiful chandeliers from local glass preserves the paintings by Bellini,Veronese and Tintoretto.
After visiting the island one can eat and drink in one of the numerous restaurants - Trattorie.
The choice may be the eal fish in restaurant Ai Frati Fondamenta Venier 4, rombo in Trattoria Valmarena Fondamenta Navagero 31, frutti di mare in Busa alla Torre Campo Santo Stefano 3.
