The island of Murano in Italy: what is famous? Venetian glass

Murano - an island in Italy, where they produce a famous glass, the secret of which the local masters guarded for centuries. It is located in the north-east of the city of Venice, in the Venetian lagoon. Murano is a small area, its area is just a little over one and a half kilometers. But his fame spreads far beyond Venice, and even Italy. Demand for glass, which is still manufactured here, surprising beauty of products from it attracts to the island of Murano tens of thousands of tourists.

The remote areas of Venice

The city itself consists of dozens of different islands. Between many of them bridges are thrown, and they are separated by channels. But some - and quite large - areas of the city are far enough from its center. They are scattered across the lagoon, and no one built bridges to them. These areas include the island of Murano in Venice. But there are other similar places here. These are the islands of Burano, San Michele, Lido and Torcello. The first of them is known for its needlewomen, embroideries and especially lace, as well as brightly painted houses. San Michele is a Venetian cemetery. Lido is famous for its beaches and film festival. And the island of Torcello is quite unlike other parts of the city. It is quiet, small, with green meadows, ancient churches and Byzantine mosaics. But Murano is the most popular and visited of all the Venetian islands. His glass "art" is known all over the world.

How to get to Murano?

You can get here only by river shuttles, or the so-called vaporetto. How to get from Venice to the island of Murano? You need to get on routes 41-42 or 51-52 near the railway station of Santa Lucia or on the main pier in Rome Square (near the Doge's Palace). Leave the vaporetto approximately once per half hour. In addition, the trip itself on this "sea tram" is a real excursion. First the vaporetto skirts Venice from the north, then stops at the Fondamente Nuovo. Further on the way of the ship there is an almost open sea - the Venetian lagoon. Crossing it, the vaporetto makes another stop at the famous cemetery of San Michele, where, incidentally, Iosif Brodsky is buried. On the way you will also see an interesting sculptural group "Dante and Virgil", installed directly in the water on a pontoon basis. Go from the city center to the island about thirty to forty minutes.

Infrastructure and population

Murano is in fact an archipelago. These are seven tiny islands, which are washed on all sides by the Venetian lagoon. However, since time immemorial they have been interconnected by bridges, therefore they are perceived as a single whole. The island is a self-governing district of the Venetian commune. It has its own infrastructure, shops, administration, hospital. He lives on the island about four or five thousand people. And during its heyday - in the Renaissance - there were many more people settled here. The population of the island in those years was more than thirty thousand. However, now tourists on Murano are much more than local residents. Although it sometimes seems incomprehensible how such a small number of people could be placed on this small patch of land. The island is "Venice in miniature." On it, too, you can only walk on foot. He, like the main Venice, shares the Grand Canal, in which the gondolas ride.

History

века до н.э. The island of Murano was inhabited by people since the V century BC. Romans have visited here, and different tribes are ready. There was a city founded here and a fishing port, and a center for salt trade. веке сюда переселяются монахи ордена камальдулов. In the 11th century, the monks of the Order of the Camaldoles moved here. Initially, the community was small. Then they founded the monastery of San Michele di Murano, which later became the center of book printing. столетия. But the island flourished at the end of the 13th century. In 1291, the government of Venice decided to transfer all the glass-blowing workshops of the city there. According to medieval standards of fire safety, this craft constantly threatened the surrounding residents. The city was constantly flared, and if you consider that most of the houses were wooden in those years, you can imagine what damage the fire caused.

Venetian glass of the island

In fact, it is, of course, Murano. On the island there are a lot of workshops where you can see firsthand the process of its manufacture. According to tourists, this is a fascinating and simply magical spectacle. And in souvenir shops you can buy different items - earrings, decorations, accessories, decor for the interior - which is just not there ... And all this is a stunning color, incredible texture and with amazing ornamentation. Just keep in mind that it is better to acquire all this in more remote areas, and not in the center of the island. There prices can be lower. But even if you do not have free money, you will spend half a day just looking at the windows and simply moving from one workshop to another. There is also the Glass Museum on the island, where thousands of tourists visit each day. And on the streets and courtyards are installed luxurious compositions in a modern style. They are also made of glass.

Secrets of making glass

The process of production for many years lurked in secret. Venetian glass was one of the sources of income of the city. It was manufactured using special technologies invented by local craftsmen. Not surprisingly, the government - the Council of Ten - did not even produce masters from this island. The glassblowers who settled there had to stay there forever. If such a master left the island, then he was declared a traitor, he was secretly hunted and killed, wherever he was. But for such isolation glass blowers received huge privileges. Daughters of masters could marry aristocrats, and their children retained the titles of patricians.

What was produced on the island?

Manufactured on Murano mainly mirrors and glasses, as well as various figures. For a long time nowhere else in Europe did this know how. Then the range of production has significantly expanded. Products, except their pretentiousness, seemed so weightless, as if floating in the air. This was written in books, and glass masterpieces were depicted in pictures. The island of Murano has become so famous that the products of glass blowers were given to the guests of the Doges and to various high-ranking personalities. When Venice paid tribute to the Turkish sultan, she sent some masterpieces of her masters as a payment. веку. The peak of glory glass-making art reaches to the XVI century. However, after a hundred years, these products are out of fashion. столетии венецианское производство стекла приходит в упадок. In the XVIII century, the Venetian glass production is declining. And with the advent of Napoleon's troops all the factories were destroyed. But since the XIX century the fashion for glass comes back and reigns until now. An attorney from Vicenza, with the help of English merchants, built a factory here and resumed the famous production.

The Museum

The exhibition halls, where different types of glass are exhibited, were opened in the Palazzo Justinian in 1861. Previously it was the residence of Bishop Torcello - a patrician palace built in the Gothic style. In this building for a long time was the town hall. Here you can get acquainted with the history of how the amazing craft originated and developed, which glorified the island of Murano. In addition, the museum has exhibits, representing glass products of different times and peoples, beginning with Ancient Egypt. You can walk to the museum only on foot, following all signs, from the main vaporetto station called "Murano Faro". The exposition is closed on Wednesdays. The museum operates in the summer from 10 am to 5 pm, and in the winter - up to four.

sights

What is famous for the Venetian island of Murano in addition to its famous glass? Of course, its architecture. In the Renaissance on this island aristocrats and noble rich people began to settle. At this time it became fashionable, as in the ancient era, to settle closer to nature. That's why people with money and good taste began to build villas that were decorated with statues and paintings. And at leisure they invited astrologers, philosophers and poets and conducted refined conversations about art and mysticism. There are beautiful palaces and ancient churches. века. For example, the Cathedral of Santa Maria e Donato is known for its stunning frescoes of the 12th century. It is one of the oldest churches in the entire Venetian lagoon. It is built in Byzantine style - on the floor, walls and ceilings, rich mosaic panels. века. Also interesting is the Clock Tower of the XIX century. This is one of the most visited places. And the most ancient palace on the island is the Palazzo di Mula. - XIII веках, и ему удалось избежать обновления, как другим красивым виллам. It was built in the XII - XIII centuries, and he managed to avoid renovation, like other beautiful villas. That is why you can admire Gothic lancet windows and panels in the Byzantine style.

Where to live?

The island of Murano in Venice is basically a goal for a one-day excursion. Most tourists come here for a few hours. But there are also those who want to spend at least one day among this beauty, after all, how well and calmly on the island in the mornings and evenings, when endless crowds of people will disappear. For such connoisseurs of exclusives on Murano there are seven hotels. They are small, but quite expensive, however, like any accommodation in Venice in general. The cost of accommodation ranges from 75 to 200 euros. The only hotel in the four-star classification is La Gare Hotel Venice-McGellery Collection. The rest of the hotels are not so chic, but nevertheless, very romantic.

Murano Island: reviews of tourists

Travelers believe that even if you are allocated to Venice only two days, one of them should definitely be spent on exploring the surrounding area. You will not have a choice. Otherwise you will not understand what real Venice is. And the whole day just need to be allocated to visit Murano. You will never forget the moment when you will be put on high chairs, offer tea or wine, and you will watch the next masterpiece appear under the magic hands of the glassblower. The boundless texture and color capabilities of this glass can realize any, even the most insane fantasy of artists and designers. It looks great both among jewelry or household items, and in any interior. It's best to buy Murano glass from official shops or souvenir shops, otherwise you can buy Chinese counterfeits. Although every little thing there will cost at least two euros, but all these products will be heavy, bright, with a deep overflow of shades. It's also surprising that such fragile ornaments - true, of huge sizes - are stored right in the streets, and no vandals have yet broken them.