Murano History

Murano Glass originated in 1291 when the glassmakers of Venice were forced to move to Murano. This was due to the risk of fires from their foundries setting fire to venices mainly wooden buildings.

Murano was already a commercial port and popular city of trade before the glassmakers arrived but this new industry helped Murano grow it's commercial reputation. Murano began exporting it's wares and became famous for it's glass beads and mirrors. At one point Murano was one of the biggest european glass and chandelier manufacturers and murano glass makers were prominent citizens of the island. By the early 1300s the glassmakers were allowed to wear swords and they had immunity from prosecution by venice but that was on the proviso that they didn't leave murano.

Murano glass is formed using various techniques and materials, many of which were invented by the murano glassmakers. Some of these techniques included enamelled glass, millefiori and crystalline glass amongst many others. TodaYS murano glassmakers still use many of these methods to create their wares.