Murano Glass Museum

If you are a glass art fan and want to dive deep into glassmaking art, head to Murano. There you'll find the Murano Glass Museum, known worldwide for its exquisite displays of fine glass craftsmanship. Glassmaking is one of the best-known and most appreciated crafts in Venice. Moreover, it is one of the most exclusive Venice museums. 

Getting to the museum

The Murano Glass Museum stands on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon. For better understanding, use our Venice map, which is perfect for planning an elaborate Venice itinerary. It takes less than an hour to get to Murano by vaporetto. Get off at the Museo Murano stop and indulge in the beautiful displays. In addition, you can get a free ride from San Marco, provided by some of the island's glass factories. These places require you to see a 20-minute demonstration at the factory, but that's more of a benefit than a chore. 

History & architecture

Antonio Colleoni and Vincenzo Zanetti founded the Murano Glass Museum in 1861. The museum's building, Palazzo Giustinian, was a beautiful example of a Venetian Gothic style. It also served as the residence for a few Venetian bishops. Later, the island of Murano bought the site and used it as a town hall, a historical archive, and a museum. In 1923, Murano became part of Venice, and the Murano Glass Museum joined the Venice Civic Museums organization. Since then, the museum has received numerous donations from local artists, making the museum's collection one of the world's finest. 

Why you should visit

Inside the Murano Glass Museum, you'll find exciting exhibitions with various types of glass on display. These objects represent a centuries-old Venetian craft. During the museum tour, you'll explore different techniques and methods used in glassmaking. The museum's collection offers an insight into the history of glass from ancient times until the 20th century. You'll find a few remarkable pieces by the renowned Barovier & Toso glass company or textiles by Carlo Scarpa. 

Things to do in the area

Murano is one of the "off-the-beaten-path" areas on the Venice map. Although it's very popular with tourists, Murano is more suitable for a one-day trip. In addition to the Murano Glass Museum, you'll see one of the ancient Venice churches. Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato is the oldest religious building on the island. While strolling the streets, you can visit a few glassmaking shops. Murano glass can be pretty expensive, but getting a deal is possible. At one of the factories, ask if they have any of last season's designs left. You'll likely visit one of the warehouses or storage areas to get a product at an attractive price.