Murano (Latin: Amuriana) is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, located about 1.5 km north-east of Venice. Together with Torcello and Burano, it was one of the first settlements founded in 453 AD by inhabitants of Altino fleeing the Hunnic invasions.

Like Venice, Murano consists of seven islands linked by bridges, with its own Grand Canal lined by historic palaces. The most striking isPalazzo Da Mula - today the Town Hall - a 13th-century building with a beautiful Gothic facade.

Before Napoleon's arrival, Murano had eighteen parishes, monasteries and convents. Today only three churches remain active: Santa Maria e Donato, San Pietro Martire and Santa Maria degli Angeli. The ruins of Santa Chiara, San Maffio and Santo Stefano are still visible, along with the Oratory of San Giuseppe e Teresa and the nearby Briati hospice.

The most important is the Basilica of Santa Maria e Donato, founded in the 7th century and originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1125, following the conquest of Kefalonia, the relics of San Donato were brought here and the church was rededicated to both saints.

One of Murano's most surprising features is its own lighthouse. Despite being deep inside the lagoon, the Murano Lighthouse serves to mark the entrance to the Lido's harbour mouth for ships coming from the Adriatic.

It stands on Fondamenta Francesco Maria Piave at the beginning of Viale Bressaggio: a cylindrical tower built in elegant Istrian stone. In the early Middle Ages the lighthouse was made of wood, and fires were lit at its top to guide vessels safely across the lagoon at night.

The Murano Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) stands on Fondamenta Marco Giustinian in a Gothic-style building that was once the residence of the Bishops of Torcello. After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1805 and the suppression of the Diocese of Torcello, the palace passed to the Patriarchate of Venice, and in 1840 it was sold to the Municipality of Murano.

The museum was founded in 1861 by Antonio Colleoni and Vincenzo Zanetti. Inside you can admire vases, bowls, sculptures and majestic chandeliers - the most impressive of which has sixty arms and was crafted by masters Lorenzo Santi and Giovanni Fuga. For a brief period the building also housed a school for blown-glass design and production. Since 1923 it has been part of the Venetian Civic Museums, the year Murano was annexed to the City of Venice.

Until 1171, Murano was part of Byzantine Venice. It later merged with the Sestiere of Santa Croce, and from 1275 became an independent commune with its own mayor, a council of around five hundred noble families, its own coin (the Osella) and coat of arms (the Rooster).

In 1295 the Venetian Republic ordered all glassworks to relocate from Venice to Murano. The reason was practical: the furnaces were a constant fire hazard in a city built largely of wood. From that moment, Murano became the world centre of artistic glass production, attracting artists, nobles and patrician families who built villas, palaces, churches and monasteries on the island.

The move also served to keep the master glassblowers under tight control - they needed a special permit to leave the island, to prevent trade secrets from spreading. Despite this, in the 15th century the rise of Bohemian crystal - likely inspired by Murano techniques - triggered a severe crisis for the local industry. Venice adapted by reinventing its glassmaking: the iconic Murano chandeliers were born in this period and are still exported worldwide today.

The Venetian Republic protected its glassmaking secrets with strict laws: only a citizen of Murano - born on the island or owning property there - was permitted to work in the furnaces.

From 1602, workers also had to be registered in the Libro d'Oro (Golden Book), subject to approval by the Serenissima. Without this registration, a person could not work in glassmaking, participate in councils or enjoy the social privileges of the island - including the right to marry into noble Patrician families. Today, the original Glass Museum still holds the Libro d'Oro, listing the noble Murano families who shaped the island's glassmaking legacy.

Then as now, glassblowing in Murano is a family tradition, passed down from father to son across generations.

Murano is quick and easy to reach from Venice, from Marco Polo Airport and from the other lagoon islands. Here are the main options.

For a full breakdown of all routes, timetables and fares, visit our guide on how to visit Murano and Burano - the same routes serve both islands.

The most enjoyable way to visit Murano from Venice is an organised boat tour departing from Piazza San Marco. The half-day excursion is affordable, scenic, and typically includes stops at Burano and Torcello - plus a visit to a glass furnace with a live glassblowing demonstration.

Murano Accommodation

We hope to please suggesting some facilities such as hotels, inns and bed & breakfast in Murano in order to help you find accommodation or rooms in Murano or nearby.

Where to buy the Original Murano Glass in Murano

In the globalized market has become very difficult to buy local crafts in places that you go to visit. Let us, therefore, to suggest the reliable shops where you can buy the authentic and original Murano glass objects and not imported.