Booking / Prenotazioni
The island of Murano
The island of Murano is located to the north-east of Venice along the Marani canal. It is fully urbanized with population 7 thousand, and hasn't preserved much of its natural aspect.
Brief history
It was founded by the Altinati, who called it Ammurianum after one of the doors to their city. Immediately it was distinguished for its economic-production functions; since the late Middle Ages it was already famous for its port, water mills and fishing.
It became so important that for years it was granted the possibility to coin money and issue its own laws, with a government, the Supreme Council, made up of 500 local noblemen.
Population reached 30 thousand in the XVI century. But the “destiny” of this island was marked by a stamp which in 1295 enforced the transfer of all glass works from Venice to prevent fires. The material, which was already produced there, then became a distinguishing mark, the Murano factory brand.
Glass is still the distinctive brand, leading to the construction of the Glass art Museum, undoubtedly work a visit (Fondamenta Giustiniani 8, hours 10-4, closed Wednesdays, phone 041-739586).
According to historical sources, there where eight churches in Murano during the XII century: only one of these still stands: the church of Santi Maria and Donato, in perfect Byzantine style.
Of Murano’s past sacred art remains the façade of the church of S.Chiara, which assumed the function of glass works after the Napoleonic suppression, and the remains of the chapel of the church of S. Stefano.
Before reaching Murano, getting off the ACTV boat at the stop before Murano Faro, tourist can visit the island of San Michele, now Venice’s monumental cemetery, formerly called Cavana de Muran.
Its current structure is due to having filled in the S. Michele canal that divided it from the adjacent island of S. Cristoforo della Pace at the beginning of the XIX century. In 1212 it was sold to three Camaldolensian monks who founded a monastery that operated until 1810. Among others, brother Mauro, author of the world map preserved at the Marciana Library and brother Cappellari, future pope Gregory XVI stayed here.
Later, having become a penitentiary for political prisoners, Pellico and Maroncelli stayed on the island. In 1829 the convent became the residence of the Protestant pastors who still administer the church of San Michele attached to the cemetery.