Description of Half Day Guided Tour - Islands of the Venetian Lagoon I
- The ephemeral beauty of blown glass is a perfect metaphor for Venice and its lagoon. Experience the wonder of this delicate art with a guided visit to the island of Murano - for over seven centuries home to the glass making industry that was transferred here from Venice in 1291 as a precaution against fire. The island is only a short vaporetto ride from Saint Mark's Square and boasts a miniature version of the Grand Canal lined on both sides with glass factories and shops.
- Watch the skilled artisans at work as they manipulate the molten glass into masterpieces of color and form; you will have the chance to question them about the age-old techniques of mouth blown and molded glass, as well as to purchase an exquisite example of their craft as a souvenir. Next stop is the Museo Vetrario housed in the handsome 17th century Palazzo Giustiniani, once residence of the Bishops of Torcello and now one of the largest collections of Venetian glass in the world.
- Here the whole history of glass making from Roman times to the present day is illustrated with pieces ranging from elegant wine goblets to enormous flower-festooned chandeliers. A few steps from the glass museum is the 12th century church of Santa Maria e Donato where a lovely elongated mosaic figure of the Virgin Mary stands in solitary prayer against the gold of a Byzantine heaven. The relics of the patron saint Donato are kept behind the high altar, along with bones of a ferocious dragon he is said to have slain.
- Island of Murano
- Glassblower's studio
- Church of Santa Maria e Donato
- Museo Vetrario (Glass Museum; closed on Wednesdays)
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Half Day Guided Tour - Islands of the Venetian Lagoon I Starting point and other tours and villas nearby
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