10/10 Thursday
It’s just a glorious day, cool and
sunny, a perfect day for a Murano boat ride. We have a slow tour of the side
canals of Venice, working our way out to the bay. On the way to Murano, we pass
the cemetery, an entire island given for burials. That would certainly be an
interesting visit. It’s all behind a high brick wall, so we’re left wondering
how the graves are done in this below-sea level city.
Murano is very appealing, with all
the charms of Venice here on a smaller scale. Despite the touring crowds, the
island has an easy, relaxing feel to it. Of course, nearly every shop is
selling glass. Some of it is low-end souvenir stuff, others are extraordinary
art glass. We’re disappointed that there don’t seem to be any working factory
tours or demonstrations. In fact, there’s very little done in the way of
directions or advertising for anything, one just walks around to find whatever.
We manage to get to the Museum of Glass, once again occupying a former palace.
They have a short video showing some glassworking, and several rooms of
historic glass of various eras and styles. Overall, though, it’s presented with
almost no interpretation or explanations, and few labels on the glass pieces.
It’s difficult to match the descriptive information with the work it describes.
We are certainly spoiled from our experience with the Corning Glass Museum, but
still, a few labels wouldn’t kill anybody.
We spend the afternoon strolling
around the city, browsing at the shops and glass art. There are signs
everywhere protesting shops that sell glass from outside Murano. Cheap imports
are a threat for every market.
We’re happy to have another
boat ride to get us back to Venice. The light is changing as the days get
shorter, and everything looks beautiful from the railing of a boat.
1 Video Included
Venice Murano Glass
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