Best things to do in Murano

The Church of Santa Maria e San Donato is a religious edifice located in Murano, northern Italy. It is known for its twelfth century Byzantine mosaic pavement and is said to contain the relics of Saint Donatus of Arezzo as well as large bones behind the altar said to be the bones of a dragon slain by the saint.
The church is one of the oldest in the Venetian lagoon. It was originally built in the 7th century and is known to have been rebuilt in the 9th century and in 1040 AD, although it is possible that there have been more rebuildings in later times.
Development of the interiors of the church and valuable relics are related to the legendary quarreling between the parishes of this church and neighboring church of St. Stefano which lasted up to 1125, when Doge Domenico Michele established the dominance of Santa Maria church by storing the relics of St. Donatus of Arezzo in it.
The church and its bell tower are built of dark red-brown brick, without plastering. The bell tower stands separately. The main entrance to the church faces west, but the most impressive facade is the colonnaded east side, which faces a canal.
The colourful stone mosaic floor of the church, including the yoked "cocks on the floor of San Donato, in Murano, who are carrying a fox" dates from around 1140, and bears superficial repairs. The relics of San Donato are located in a marble sarcophagus.

Visit Isola di Murano, a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian lagoon, to see the area's world-famous artistic glass pieces. You can easily explore the 10 islands on foot. As you do, keep an eye out for the ancient furnace houses used to fire glass. Learn about the owners, participate in interactive presentations, and see the raw materials used to create the glass artwork. You will find all current glass workshops in Murano after a decree was warranted to move all glass-working shops to the area to avoid an outbreak of fires. Don't be afraid to ask locals about the fascinating history and their trade. Some other notable attractions here include Gothic and ancient churches like the SS. Maria e Donato, dating back to 1140, as well as the Murano Glass Museum. Consider buying a piece of the local trade, but only if you can ensure very careful handling of your luggage.

Museo del Vetro offers information on the history of glass, the local craft and art with many centuries of history in Murano, as well as glass-blowing demonstrations. You can even see glass from more than a thousand years ago. Contained in a 17th-century palace built for the bishops of Torcello, the building overlooks the Grand Canal of Murano. Consider using the Venice pass to visit this museum. During renovation, displays may be limited.

San Pietro Martire is a Roman catholic parish church in Murano, near Venice, northern Italy.
The church was edificated in 1348 along with a Dominican convent, and was originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist. In 1474 a fire razed it to the ground and in 1511 it was rebuilt to the current appearance.
It was closed on 1806, a few years after the fall of the Republic of Venice, and reopened in 1813. It is currently one of the two main parish churches in the island of Murano.

A restored medieval church, The Glass Cathedral - Santa Chiara allows visitors to see and purchase authentic Murano glass, as well as a chance to attend live demonstrations of glass making. If you time your visit correctly, you may even be able to attend a live musical or theater performance. You'll find information about available tours and opportunities to host an event at the church on the website. If you're looking for a special gift or memento of your trip, consider purchasing something from the varied Murano glass collection--your options include everything from grand chandeliers to elegant jewelry and drinking glasses.