You can see why this tiny island, a small piece of the larger puzzle that is Venice, is so enchanting from the moment your gondola docks along its
working-class shores. The people who greet you will be the friendliest you'll ever meet, and with good reason: The families on this island have lived
here for centuries. Everyone knows everyone else. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to move here, and once upon a time leaving
the island was considered treason. There are no big hotels and only a few trattorias, which cater strictly to a local crowd. Glass blowing on the island
of Murano dates back to approximately 600 A.D. Venetian legend says that all the glass blowers were moved to the island of Murano from Venice after a
disastrous fire in 1598. However, the masters will tell you the real reason for the move was to safeguard the secrets of making glass from the rest of
the world.
Today, descendants of these early glass blowers still practice this art, and you can visit the island for a day and take with you the Murano glass that
tourists from the world over flock here to purchase. But be warned: While leaving the island was once forbidden, now the locals make it impossible to
stay. You will find yourself amidst these friendly people for the day, but if you try to stay, watch out: They do not take kindly to overnight guests.
In Murano, you won't see universities. What you will see are 'schools' where glass blowers are apprenticed to masters as they have been for centuries.
An apprentice blower goes through an apprenticeship of at least 10 years before formally being recognized in the trade. It takes anywhere from an
additional 10 to even 25 years to become a master. You can see apprentices and masters alike at work during your journey, and while viewing the craft in
action, you can view a thousand years of glass-making history in the blink of an eye.
The oldest document relating to glass making in Murano is a manuscript that now resides in one of the most important archives in the world, the State
Archive of Venice. It is a deed of donation dated 982 A.D., signed by one 'Domenicus Fiolarius,' a glass bottle maker. From additional information
inscribed within old documents and the result of tests performed on ancient glass fragments found in the lagoon show that Venetian glass is similar to
glass artifacts found in the eastern Mediterranean. The main component of each was silica sand, which is popularized today as a deodorizing
stabilization agent converted into hardened gelatinous form for use in tennis shoes.
Glass-making in Murano achieved its greatest splendor during the 16th century when glass masters, building on their 15th century experience, perfected
the vitreous materials for glass creation and refined their manual techniques. There were a wide variety of colored glasses, both transparent and
opaque. The selection can still be seen today, as antique pieces reside in museums across the globe.
Great inventive richness and notable
technical accomplishment marked the 16th century. But Renaissance-style glass remained in production directly alongside newer, more elaborate glasses.
The technological heritage of Muranese glass masters, spanning a thousand years of history, is still rich and all-important today because it offers
authentic, significant works in the every sense of the word. It is the product of their rich tradition that is coveted by collectors and museums
worldwide.
To view works of Murano glass, visit Art of Venice.
This article was written by Sabrina Friedman. | | |
| | Accommodation
Hotels in Venice
B&B's in Venice
Hotels in Murano
Hotels in the
Surroundings of Venice
Hotels in
Tessera (very near Venice Marco Polo airport)
Hotels in Venice Mestre |
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