Murano Island

Once a pleasure park where the rich nobility of Venice had their summer villas and where the first botanic garden in Italy was laid out, the face of Murano was transformed when the Republic transferred the glass workshops here in 1291. Officially a safety measure to counteract the fire risk in central Venice, the unofficial reason, and probably the more likely one, was that this was the most effective method of safeguarding what, until the 17th century, was Venice's best-kept secret - its method of glass-making.

The glass-makers were well paid and enjoyed many privileges (they were allowed to carry swords and marry into the Venetian nobility) but were never allowed to leave the lagoon, thus retaining the knowledge of glass-making within Venice.

A Decree of the Council of Ten of 1454 runs thus: If a glass-blower takes his skill to another country to the detriment of the Republic he shall be ordered to return; should be refuse, his nearest relatives shall be thrown into prison so that his sense of family duty may induce him to return; should he persist in his disobedience secret measures shall be taken to eliminate him wherever he may be."

The art of the glass-blowers can be admired in the workshops; each factory has its own shop for the sale of Murano glass - a rather expensive but much sought after souvenir.

The most important monument on the island is the Church of Santi Maria e Donato