Murano

Many people say that Murano is not worth going to, unless you’re in the market for something made from the special Murano glass. I always enjoy going over there, and have to confess I have yet to go into a glass making fornace, nor have I bought anything glass. I just like walking in yet another place that has no cars, trucks, etc. There is always something interesting to see/discover.

There are two churches well worth seeing: San Pietro Martire (make sure to go into the Sacristy), and SS. Maria e Donato, where I marvel at the beauty of the mosaic floor, among other things.

On the 4.1 vaporetto, heading north to Murano from Fondamenta Nove

The thermometer read well below freezing last night, and I found out the hard way that there was slippery ice on the pavement not yet touched by the sun. I hadn’t expected to go skating without blades!

 

Well, I’m not sure what he represents, but isn’t he cute?

 

This sign tells a story of past frustrations, perhaps. (Oh, the dreaded woman in red has come back.)

Here is Murano’s version of the Grand Canal, and it serves the same purposes as the one in Venice.

The first photo shows an aspect of the campanile of the Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angeli that I had never seen before.  This church has been undergoing much needed restoration work, for years now. I wonder if it will ever be finished? A sign indicates that there is entry from a calle to the side of the church. But, the gate has always been locked.

This time, when I walked around there, a gentleman who seemed to be a caretaker, arrived at the same time. He said “Certo”‘, when I asked if I could go in. I found a vegetable garden, with wintery types of vegetables growing, and that’s also when I was able to see the campanile from the back. The Sacristy, where mass is now held, was locked tight, so I wasn’t able to go in and find anything to report to you. But, that was one small step closer to success, anyhow.

The second photo shows the sort of damage the restorers will have to deal with.

I almost visited a small glass fornace today, but when I went down the calle, I found they were closed until February. I did find this tempting mountain of broken pieces of coloured glass, though.

Here and there, I saw some rather old  carvings, on walls and columns.

And, just before I went  for a well deserved cup of coffee and a brioche, I saw these worn mosaics.

So,  if you’re in Venice for a reasonable length of time, please don’t write off Murano. It has an atmosphere and rewards that are all its own.

Even Murano has at least one pissotta. I didn’t look for any more.