MURANO GLASS HISTORY TOUR
MURANO GLASS HISTORY TOUR
Our in depth Murano Glass History Tour begins in Venice, where a private water taxi will pick us up and take us to the Island.
First stop is at old Palazzo Giustinian, the seat of the Murano Glass Museum, now shining in new light. Thanks to the recently refurbished display, every piece in the collection can be better appreciated in all its changeable beauty and in relation with the other pieces next to it.
From Ancient Rome to our age the history of glass, that maybe started in Syria, as the legend says, or maybe in Egypt, finds in Venice one of its most persistent and creative nodes.
Since the Middle Ages, the techniques. the secrets about certain colors or effects, the skills transmitted from father to son, from master to student, have been at the core of the living experience of Murano up to our days.
Seen from this viewpoint the Murano Glass Museum can be envisioned as a ‘time wave’ opened to the future.
At the ground floor, a visual ‘stream’ of 50 important objects connects symbolically the present to the past, but then the journey continues with the ‘white box’, a bright new space obtained by restructuring the old beads’ factory (or Conterie) that will be reserved to the most contemporary creations.
The historical section of the Museum continues on the second floor (there are two elevators) with nine rooms, each endowed with an educational video-totem, where it has been possible to display a great number of items previously ‘hidden’ in the deposits.
The archaeological sector makes a great effect with its new dark showcases. We find here the ancestors of all typologies and techniques that are still used today here on the Island.
The great central room, with frescoed ceiling and gigantic chandeliers, displays the ‘treasures’ of the Golden Age of Murano: the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries
The eye is caught and delighted by the grace, elegance, inventiveness of this ‘glass symphony’ . Some pieces, like the Barovier cup, are legendary.
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Other items are so weird to look like contemporary creations.
Later on, in the 18th century rooms, we admire the skills of Murano masters at imitating porcelain and marbles and at creating new forms and decorations that were appreciated and exported all over Europe, such as the chandeliers and the mirrors, contributing to the Myth of Venice, and, of course to its declining economy.
An entire section is devoted to glass beads, the collections of Rosetta, Mosaic, Millefiori, and Murrina beads exhibited belong to Ercole Moretti.
The 20th century witnesses an explosion of creativity: the old techniques merge into contemporary design: painters, sculptors, architects and engineers come to Murano from all over the world to inspire and get inspired…some of the artifacts exhibited are of extraordinary quality, a joy for the sight and for the mind and spirit.
Carlo Scarpa, Tapio Wirkkala, Dale Chihuly just to mention a few…
And in the 21st century, of course, the story still goes on.
Leaving the Glass Museum and entering one of the most creative and innovative glass furnaces of our days you will experience first of all a strong sense of continuity, as the working tools and the raw materials are still the same used in the previous centuries.
Even the working hierarchies and the rhythms of the whole production will evoke a Renaissance workshop rather than a modern factory. However, many things have changed and modern technology is now deeply interacting with the old tradition ! We will be guided by an expert inside the furnace and along the show rooms, before making our way back to Venice.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Murano Glass Museum with historical introduction
- Visit to one of the most interesting glass factories
MORE ABOUT
THIS TOUR
MURANO GLASS HISTORY TOUR
In the mid-1400s, Venice was one of the wealthiest and most populated cities in Europe, its prosperity due to international trade. Many important buildings, both churches and private and public palaces, were built during this period.
Gothic forms had been introduced by mendicant orders, but had been blended with the traditional Veneto-Byzantine and oriental motifs, both part of the city’s cultural heritage.
The original Venetian Gothic style remained deeply ingrained until the end of the 15th century, when even Venice began to introduce the new Renaissance forms, which had begun in Florence and had already spread to many other Italian regions.
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The Early Renaissance in Venice coincided with a very shocking event: in 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman empire. Many outstanding Greek personalities relocated to Venice renewing traditional interest for Greek and Byzantine culture. Early Renaissance architecture in Venice speaks a Neo Byzantine rather than Neo Roman language. Many new churches were built in the shape of a Greek Cross, and both palaces and churches were lavishly decorated with ancient polychrome marbles.
The transitional period between late Gothic and Early Renaissance in Venice is therefore of extreme interest, with many buildings displaying a quintessentially “Venetian” preciousness of materials and a rich variety of tracery and colors.
Articles about Murano Glass you might find interesting: Study Days on Venetian Glass – Glass In Venice
DRESS CODE AND ADVICE
- This is mostly a very intense art and history tour, although it also includes a visit to a prestigious glass factory.
- If you prefer something lighter we also have a top quality Murano shopping experience ! See our ‘Murano Past and Present’ tour in the LAGOON & ISLANDS section.
COST
- This tour lasts three hours and costs 420 euros, with transportation included (not per person).
- Max 6 people, only private parties. no shared tours.
- Transportation included.
- Admission to Murano Glass Museum:
- 10 euros full price
- 7,50 euros for students
CONTACT US
WALKS INSIDE ITALY
ART CITY WALKS aff. Network Giv
San Polo 1541 30125 VENICE, ITALY
C.F. e P. Iva 04331170276
Prot. 2016/16140 del 25-2-2016
Polizza Europ Assistance 8957877
