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Discover why Burano's bell tower leans, how this unique phenomenon developed, and what it reveals about the history and geology of the Venetian Lagoon.

Among the creations that have made Murano famous around the world, the chandelier holds a special place. Its elegant shapes, the brilliance of Venetian crystal and its hand-crafted decorations are the result of a tradition that combines art, technique and craftsmanship. Yet its history is much more recent than that of Murano glassmaking itself. For centuries, Murano's furnaces mainly produced everyday objects such as drinking glasses, goblets, mirrors and precious glassware for noble families and European courts. Homes were illuminated almost exclusively by candles and oil lamps supported by wooden, iron or bronze structures, while glass was mainly used to decorate windows and luxury objects. It was between the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that Murano's master glassmakers transformed the chandelier into a work of art. Venetian noble residences and European courts demanded increasingly elaborate and spectacular creations capable of reflecting candlelight and becoming the focal point of prestigious interiors. During this period, the famous Rezzonico chandelier was born, still considered one of the symbols of Murano glassmaking. Featuring numerous arms arranged on several levels, it is decorated with flowers, leaves, fruit and scrolls, all handcrafted in glass. Every single element is individually made, creating the harmonious composition that makes each chandelier unique. With the arrival of electric lighting, Murano chandeliers continued to evolve in design and size while preserving the traditional techniques passed down through generations. Alongside the classic models, contemporary interpretations emerged, but craftsmanship remains the defining feature of every creation. How a Murano Chandelier Is Made Creating a Murano chandelier requires the work of several specialised artisans. The metal frame is prepared separately, while every glass element—arms, cups, flowers, leaves, pendants and decorative details—is handcrafted individually in the furnace. Each piece is blown or shaped while hot, slowly cooled and carefully finished before assembly. Only when every piece is ready does the assembly begin, a process that requires exceptional precision and experience. The largest chandeliers may consist of several hundred individual pieces, and assembling them can take several days. Once completed, the chandelier is often dismantled for transport and reassembled at its final destination. Even today, Murano furnaces create large installations for historic palaces, luxury hotels, theatres, embassies and private residences all over the world. Visiting a Murano glass furnace offers the opportunity to witness this remarkable craftsmanship firsthand. Behind every chandelier lie countless hours of work, hundreds of precise gestures and a tradition that has been passed down for more than seven centuries, keeping one of Venice's finest artisan traditions alive. 

Discover how authentic Burano lace is made: the traditional needle lace technique and the heritage passed down through generations of lacemakers.

When people think of Venetian glass, Murano immediately comes to mind. Yet for several centuries, the city's glass furnaces were not located on the island. Before 1291, most glassmakers worked in Venice itself, with furnaces scattered across different parts of the city. They were built close to homes, warehouses and canals, where raw materials arrived and finished works were shipped across the Mediterranean. Glassmaking was already a highly developed craft. Venetian masters had perfected techniques such as glassblowing, hot shaping and decoration, combining the legacy of Roman craftsmanship with knowledge brought from the Byzantine East. As a crossroads of trade and cultures, Venice became the ideal place for these skills to flourish. There was, however, one major problem. The furnaces burned day and night at extremely high temperatures. In a city where most buildings were made of wood, the danger of devastating fires was constant. For this reason, in 1291 the Venetian Republic ordered all glass furnaces to be moved to Murano, an island close enough to the city to keep production running while reducing the fire risk. This decision did not mark the beginning of Venetian glassmaking but rather a turning point in its history. By bringing all the master glassmakers together in one place, the Republic created a highly specialised centre where techniques could be refined and passed down from generation to generation. From then on, Murano gradually became synonymous with excellence. Today, while walking through Murano's narrow streets, it is hard to imagine that this extraordinary tradition actually began in Venice itself. Yet that decision, made more than seven centuries ago, transformed Murano into the world-famous home of artistic glass.  Visiting Murano today means discovering this remarkable journey. Watching master glassmakers at work inside a furnace is the best way to understand how a centuries-old tradition, born in Venice and perfected on Murano, is still alive today.

Discover why the houses of Burano are so colorful: from stories of fishermen in the fog to traditions and rules that preserve this unique, vibrant island.

Today Torcello is the quietest island in the lagoon, but for centuries it was one of the most important and populated centers in the Venetian area.

Discover the history of Bussolà di Burano, the authentic Venetian butter cookie shaped like a ring or an "S", deeply rooted in local fishing traditions.

Discover the magic of Murano blown glass: a fascinating journey through fire, art, and traditional secrets passed down for generations.

People go to Murano to see glass. Furnaces, master glassmakers and objects displayed in the workshops have been part of the island’s identity for centuries. The history of glassmaking in Murano officially began in 1291, when the Republic of Venice decided to move most of the furnaces that had previously been located in the city center. The reason was very practical: Venice was built almost entirely of wood and fires were a constant danger. The furnaces worked at extremely high temperatures and it took very little to cause disasters in the crowded districts of the city. So the master glassmakers were moved to Murano, close enough to remain under the control of the Serenissima but separate enough to reduce the risks. Within a few decades the island was completely transformed. New artisan families arrived, specialized workshops were created and Murano glass became one of the most valuable products exported by Venice. Even today, while walking along Fondamenta dei Vetrai, it is easy to understand how the island was organized: the sides facing the outer canals were the most operational areas, with entrances for unloading materials, openings for transporting goods and spaces connected to production. Sand, wood, minerals and soda arrived by boat, just like chandeliers and finished objects destined for European and international markets. On the opposite side, shops and workshops gradually developed along the fondamenta, where merchants could display their works to visitors and foreign buyers. My uncle always used to say that in Murano you could recognize glass even by its sound. Inside a furnace there was never silence: the constant roar of the fire, metal tools resting on the benches, the blowing pipes slowly turning while the glowing glass took shape. From a technical point of view, Murano glass requires extraordinary knowledge of materials and temperatures. Master glassmakers mix silica, soda and other minerals, then heat everything to temperatures above one thousand degrees. Just a few extra seconds can compromise an entire piece of work. Over the centuries Murano developed techniques that became famous all over the world: Venetian blown glass, lattimo glass similar to porcelain, colorful murrine, filigree decorations and mirrors that adorned royal palaces throughout Europe. For a long time the Republic even tried to prevent master glassmakers from leaving Venice in order to protect the secrets of the craft. Today Murano continues to live between artisanal tradition and tourism. Many historic furnaces are still active and watching a master glassmaker at work remains one of the most fascinating experiences in the Venetian lagoon. If you want to explore Murano at your own pace, try also Easy Guide Venice : you can listen to geolocated audio guides dedicated to the lagoon islands and discover stories and lesser-known corners of Venice.