Hello all! My husband and MIL and I will be in Venice in early October. This will be the first trip there for all of us. We would like to visit glass blowing and lace making factories in Murano and Burano without joining a scheduled tour. I imagine we'll use the vaporetto for transportation and visit both on the same day. What are your favorite factories you've visited that have the best demonstrations? Do they require scheduling a time to watch the demonstration? What are the best shopping opportunities (looking for wall sconces to ship back home)? And, let's not forget, give me your favorite spots to eat on the islands! Thanks in advance!
Posted by
11647 posts
I don’t like going on the island due to crowds and over promoted glass blowing exhibits. We buy glass that is blown on Murano but sold in Venice, very high quality. Shop is L’isola , owner, artist is Carlo Moretti, beautiful pieces and they ship.
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
I went to the Lace Museum on Burano, and came upon a group of women making lace by hand.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
When going to Burano, get off the vaporetto at Mazzorbo, the last stop before Burano. You can walk through some hardens and over the bridge to Burano. Head sort of left as you get off the vap.
Returning, the line for the vap can be long and you might not get on the first boat. But if you walk over to Mazzorbo they will let you board and you get a position by the rail.
There are no lace factories as such on Burano, but but you can witness lace making at the lace museum.
Posted by
OP
South Carolina
26 posts
All very helpful, thanks!
Posted by
Portugal
192 posts
Not all glass in Murano is "blown." The sculpted objects are mostly lamp worked, an ancient technique particularly well-suited to the "soft" glass (has to do with melting temperature and the coefficient of expansion) of Murano. Many of these lamp workers have studios where you can buy (or ship home) objects and some will even do a class in their studio where you can learn to make something yourself. Great sculptors include (but are not limited to) Lucio Bubacco (satirical/mythological and sexy), Vittorio Consenttino (insects, birds, etc.), and, Mauro Vianelli (undersea life). Most of these maestros have storefronts or shops on the main island of Venice (mostly on the north side, toward Murano. I know Mauro does classes if you contact ahead and if he is in town. Do not limit yourself to blowing!
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
I found a couple of really nice glass studios while walking around near the Peggy Guggenheim museum.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
Vittorio Consenttino Is a genius. We have some of his insects, honey bees. We broke one and brought it back on a later trip. He remembered us and repaired it.
We gave him a jar our honey.
Posted by
OP
South Carolina
26 posts
I didn't realize the glass sculpting was a different process. Sounds fascinating! And I appreciate the suggestion for Vittorio Constentino. A little bee would make the perfect souvenir. Thank you everyone!
Posted by
Portugal
192 posts
Never tried this before, hope it works:
Mauro making a seashell
Posted by
OP
South Carolina
26 posts
It worked, thanks! That is so fascinating!