Murano

The Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy, is home to Murano, a series of islands linked by bridges. It is located about 1.5 km (1 mi) north of Venice and measures about the same in diameter. The current population is around 5,000 however in previous centuries it was far busier. It is famous for its glassmaking and was once an independent comune, but is now included in the comune of Venice.

Almost half of the island’s population of 7000 were employed in glass-making by the 16th century. Famously producing the most delicate of glassware for their international clients. Today, it remains one of the country’s key glass-making centres.

Since the secret technique was so protected by law, only a few Murano master glass artisans illegally traveled outside the city and sold their coveted skills and techniques.