Glass Craftsmen
Murano had, until the end of the Venetian Republic, its proper “arengo” (council) and its decisions made laws in the island.
It used to have also a “gold book” where the native families can register to get privileges so special that a Venetian nobleman could marry the daughter of a Master Glazier without losing his titles.
The art of Glassblowing made Murano famous all over the world. The Glass secrets were so dear to the heart of the Republic that Master Glaziers were allowed to leave the city only after receiving a special permit from the Council.
Tourists can learn the history of Murano and Glassblowing by visiting the Museum of Glass. Among the most important pieces presented in the Museum there is the “Barovier Bowl”, attributed to Angelo Barovier, glass master of the '400 (and dating back to 1400), and the Hall of Honor, furnished with three huge nineteenth-century blown glass chandeliers. Tourists can visit the furnaces and thus witness the glass blowing technique by the glass masters. Another Murano production is the murrine, small pieces of glass made from small colored glass-paste canes, which are assembled together to create beautiful random designs.
Visit a glass factory, click here!
