Murano Glass Art 0f Venice, Italy

In antiquity, the seven Murano islands of Venice, Italy was known as Amurianum. It is among the 118 islands that make up Venice. The populations of Altino and other ancient centres on the mainland of Italy, sought asylum there from the threat of the Huns. Murano soon achieved the enviable condition of well- being. Around the 10th -11th centuries, it became one of the major Venetian lagoon trading centres. 

The tradition of glass blowing, still the basis of the city’s renown, dates back to that period, although it received it’s greatest boost in the 13th century.  A visit to Murano must include a walk along the characteristic Canale delgi Angeli and the Rio dei Vetrai. 

The Glass Museum is on the Canale di San Donato. Splendid examples of Murano production of various periods are on exhibition here, including the famous 15th century Barovier cup.

Murano's glassmakers held a monopoly on high-quality glassmaking for centuries, developing or refining many technologies including optically clear glass, enamelled glass, glass with threads of gold, multicoloured glass, milk glass, and imitation gemstones made of glass. Today, the artisans of Murano still employ these centuries-old techniques, crafting everything from contemporary art glass and glass jewellery to Murano glass chandeliers and wine stoppers.