Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Colors of Murano, Italy

This classic Venetian window is located on a house on Murano. Like the main part of Venice, Murano is built on a series of islands joined by bridges. It has been the center of glass making since 1291, when the glass furnaces were relocated from the main part of Venice to these islands to reduce the risk of fire in the main part of Venice.
Some fishermen, particularly those on the Venetian island of Burano, like to paint their houses the same color as their boats.
The colors add warmth and cheer to the houses that lack the fine Gothic architectural touches for which Venice is famous.
All produce and other goods must arrive by boat.
This is the central piazza on Murano, where the art of glass making is still a major industry today. In Medieval times, Venice restricted the right of glass blowers and their families to travel so that other nations would not learn the secrets of the master glass blowers. Today, it is possible for tourists to visit glass blowing factories and showrooms, although they can at times be rather touristy.

7 comments:

brattcat said...

Those two islands are real treasures. I loved seeing your photographs of them.

Leif Hagen said...

I just looked through each and every photo through Petra! What scrumptious pictures and great world travels! Super!

glenda said...

What a beautiful place. I have some Murano glass which I love. Fun to see where it actually came from.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Absolutely a beautiful place, part of magnificent Venice.

SouthAfrica said...

Awesome photos. I run a travel website, and I like the post so much I've linked to it from our page on Murano.

Memphis MOJO said...

Lovely photos, some of the best on the net.

Kate said...

I really should visit Murano! Although my family does not claim Italy as an heritage, there must be a connection because of my name (Mura), plus I have an instinctive feeling for all things Italian. Your photos are so very enjoyable, esp. about Murano!

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