Murano
The island of glass
Murano is a small island of Venice that overlooks the lagoon. Dense with Renaissance houses and a characteristic white lighthouse, glass works appreciated throughout the world have been produced here since the 13th century.
The island was chosen by the Dodge of Venice in the 14th century as the only place where glass could be worked in furnaces at 1400 degrees, in order to avoid the risk of devastating fires in the city.
Given the importance that this activity had for the wealth of Venice, the glassmakers were allowed to carry a sword, but not allowed to leave the city in order not to disclose the secrets of this noble art.
Murano glassmakers were often raised to the rank of nobles and their name was inscribed in the Golden Book, the register where the noble families of Venice were registered.