On our way back towards Venice after visiting Burano, we made a stop on the island of Murano. Murano is known for its world famous glass-making facilities–most of the time, when you hear “Venetian glass” they really mean “Murano glass.” Walking around Venice and Burano so far that day had left us pretty tired, but since the water boat made a stop on Murano anyway, we decided to stop and get a quick peek.
As is often the way of these stories, I’m so happy I did, because I loved Murano. While I enjoyed exploring Burano, Murano felt much livelier to me, perhaps because evidence of their famous industry was everywhere. We popped into a glass-making factory and watched a few demonstrations and wandered the picturesque canals. They didn’t have the colors of Burano, but they were so pretty! Murano is proud of its heritage, and you can see glass-blown artwork everywhere: from a giant sculpture in the square, to the water glasses in the little restaurants, to the stained glass doors visible all over the town.
I’ll be honest with you–after all my talk of being happy with less and not wanting/needing more, sometimes I just love to shop. Shopping for souvenirs is probably the most fun kind of shopping in my mind, especially as I’m choosy with the types of souvenirs I usually buy. Since my budget is so strict, I usually only buy postcards, but I do occasionally splurge on a local and/or special item. This was my long-winded way of saying I just had to buy some Murano glass!
You have to be careful in Murano, as there is an issue with knock-off, not-original blown glass, so I focused only on the shops that had the coveted “certified Murano glass” paperwork.
You can buy Murano glass all over Venice, not to mention Italy and the world, but sometimes buying it straight from the source is the most special thing (and now I have several pairs of earrings–because they were on sale! yay for off-season prices!–that I can say I bought in Italy).
Even if you don’t buy Murano glass, I found Murano a charming addition to the Venetian lagoon. It’s even closer to Venice than Burano is–only about fifteen minutes, depending on the weather–and it is so fascinating to watch the glass-blowing demonstrations. Murano felt like a smaller, more manageable, more arty Venice…a must-see!
Linking up with Travel Tuesday.
Murano looks so special! Thanks for the recommendation! I am really hoping to get over to Venice within the next year or two 🙂
I hope you make it! Especially in early spring–I was just wowed by Venice and the surrounding islands. But I imagine it gets too crowded in the summer–it was already kind of bad in March!
Surprising stopovers are the best! I love that blue art thing in the square, whatever it is.
Haha I don’t know…just art, I think ;). It’s supposed to symbolize something but I can’t remember what and of course I can’t find it online ha!
I absolutely love Murano… I know it’s a little touristy, but it really is beautiful – and I love all the glass shops…. those glassblowers are so so so so talented!
I think because it was early March, but there were very few tourists there–I thought Burano was much more touristy! It was so fun to watch the glassblowers 🙂
Oooh I love that sculpture – and yay for the souvenir earrings!
One of the best souvenirs, certainly 🙂
So lovely… I really enjoyed Murano and your photos are making me nostalgic!
Aww I’m glad you liked it, too! It’s such a lovely little island 🙂
Awe Murano looks amazing! You’re giving me crazy wanderlust!
Haha you should definitely add it to the list! 🙂 It’s such a fun spot right near Venice and easy to get to!
That sculpture is so beautiful!
It’s incredible, right? I watched the glassblowers make some small things–I can’t imagine how much work went into that giant sculpture!
I visited Murano and Burano about 15 years ago and I still have my glass picture frame. Every once in a while a gorgeous souvineer is worth it!
I love that you still have your picture frame even after 15 years! I’m glad I bought some earrings although I REALLY wanted a chandelier haha 😉 way too pricey, though!
Looks like it was definitely worth the stop off!
I thought so 🙂
We bought two light fittings from a factory in Murano and had them shipped back to us in Australia. Everytime I look at them in our house, it straightaway reminds me of Italy!
I love that! I really wanted a chandelier but they were way too pricey for now…maybe later :). I love having souvenirs around the house from other countries!
Gosh, this looks so beautiful 🙂
I loved it so much! 🙂