The beautiful island of Murano belongs to the area of the magnificent lagoons of Venice, and therefore the views there are considered breathtaking and attract to the area a wide variety of travelers from all over the world, including loving couples, families with children and groups of all ages. The picturesque island attracts quite a few visitors from the Holy Land and is a great destination for a short or long vacation, with a happy and youthful atmosphere and essential attractions for anyone who is young at heart.
This is a fascinating vacation that combines interesting history, beautiful landscapes and authentic sites that have been well preserved over the years and tell about the local past. All these along with great restaurants make the island of Murano a place that is definitely worth visiting.
How do you get to Murano?
Since it is a popular and beloved tourist destination that attracts many visitors every year, getting to the island of Murano is not difficult and there is also the possibility of reaching it as part of guided day trips that include transfers along with close guidance and a visit to the main attractions.
For those who do not come to the island as part of such a tour, the recommended and most convenient way to reach Murano is by bus boat departing from Venice and the duration of the voyage usually does not take much more than half an hour. The bus boat departs from St. Mark’s Square and the main lines used by travelers to the island are DM41 or DM42.
Where to stay in Murano?
Only about 6,000 residents live on the island itself, some are surprised by this amount because it is a few thousand, while in the eyes of others it is a small amount of residents that feels really small compared to the amount of tourists that visit the area, especially in the highly touristed summer months.
Many of the visitors come to Murano as mentioned for a short visit only and from there they continue to neighboring islands such as Burano Lace Island and more, but there are always those who fall in love with the place (rightfully so) and want to spend the night there. In this case, you will be happy to hear that unlike Borano, where the majority of accommodation is based on guest houses, in Murano you can also find real hotels and all you have to do is match the type of accommodation to your preferred type of vacation. for example:
Giardino in laguna – a modest accommodation apartment at an affordable price that offers an excellent location near everything important, a spectacular view, air conditioning and everything needed to spend the vacation in maximum comfort. This pleasant place is especially suitable for those who travel on a low budget but are not willing to compromise on a central location and great attitude.
Hyatt Centric Murano Venice – a 4-star hotel that offers pampering accommodation with a relaxed atmosphere and courteous staff. The rooms are pleasant and include a private bathroom, a spacious bed and a free shuttle service to the airport. Among the island hotels that are in a good location, this hotel provides great value for the price.
The history of Murano is on the edge
The island of Murano is one of the most visited among the islands of the Venice lagoon and it lies about 2 kilometers northeast of the beautiful city which is a desirable tourist destination in itself. Murano is actually part of a larger group of islands which are connected to each other by bridges and between which the famous water channels pass.
Over the years, Murano has attracted many visitors mainly thanks to its famous glass industry, which has been a large part of the local economy since the 13th century AD until today.
From a historical point of view, the island of Murano was first inhabited already in the Roman period, when the local residents were mainly engaged in the fishing industry, but the place soon became an important trade center and other industries developed there, such as salt production and, as mentioned, the glass industry which quickly became a household name in all of Europe. This economy, which was considered strong at the time and could stand on its own, allowed the inhabitants of the island to exist without being dependent on the kindness of the neighboring cities, which led to the creation of a local currency and more.
In terms of tourism, the real change in Murano began during the 15th century, when it was discovered by members of the Venetian nobility who decided to build their palaces there and turned it into a desirable vacation spot. These were mainly attracted to the extensive green areas on the island, the colorful orchards and the spectacular vegetable gardens, but ironically it was the construction of the palaces and the making of the island a tourist that led to the extinction of a significant part of these areas.
Mirror mirror on the wall – the development of the glass industry in Murano
From the moment the glass industry entered the local economy and trade, it quickly developed and formed the main part of the economy of the island’s residents and later ordered all the glass manufacturers from Venice to move their business to the island of Murano on the grounds that this might reduce the rate of fires in the city. In practice, the fact that all the glass manufacturers were concentrated in one place made Murano a household name in this field and during the 14th century it was a place whose name preceded it, at least in everything related to glass beads, mirrors, chandeliers and items of this type.
Over the next few years the glass industry grew on a scale that could not have been imagined and glass working techniques were perfected, which led to the creation of an original type of glass reserved for local manufacturers only, which is now identified as Aventurine glass. This industry maintained a place of honor in the local economy until the 18th century when its activity was reduced but in fact to this day it occupies a large share in the local economy.
Central Etruscans on the island
The most visited area on the island of Murano is called Fondamenta dei Vetrai and is actually the main road that crosses the island, where the various shops and diverse stands of the local artisans are also concentrated. This is the place to buy local produce for those who have not yet purchased souvenirs for their loved ones who are waiting in Israel and if you see something you like, hurry up and buy it – you can be sure you won’t find anything similar anywhere else.
Museo Vetrario – Murano’s local glass museum which fascinatingly tells the story of the glass industry on the island, its development over the years, its glory days, different types of glass and the traditional production methods and of course an impressive exhibition of spectacular items including a live demonstration of the interesting process. This is a great experience, especially in a family group, so if you are visiting the island with little ones – don’t miss it.
Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato – The Basilica of Santa Maria e Donato is housed in a beautiful building built in the 12th century AD and although the time that has passed on it is evident, it still manages to maintain its original character and the period charm typical of buildings of this type. In addition to the basilica itself, the entire street is considered spectacular in its beauty, with ancient buildings still standing and allowing visitors to go back in time and get to know the real Italy.
In conclusion, the island of Murano contains a harmonious combination between an extensive history and a young and lively atmosphere, with picturesque streets, excellent restaurants and fun attractions. It is a perfect place for a vacation in the whole vehicle and if you are limited in time, you can also visit it as part of a day trip. What is certain is not to be missed.
