Murano is one of the most fascinating islands in the Venetian Lagoon — not for its architecture or canals (well, maybe that too!), but for its fire.
For over 700 years, Murano has been the heart of Venetian glassmaking. The tradition goes all the way back to 1291, when all the furnaces in Venice were moved to this island due to the risk of fire.
Since then, Murano has become synonymous with intricate craftsmanship, skill, and innovation in the art of glass.
With so many furnaces now offering demos and workshops, choosing the right one isn’t easy. My advice? If you want a stress-free day, book a private tour from Venice where everything is sorted for you.
But if you prefer something more customised, do your homework—look into what each furnace offers and read other travellers’ reviews. I decided to try a more intimate experience at Gino Mazzuccato, and here’s what it was like.
Murano Glass Blowing Experience
As you probably know, Murano became the go-to destination for glassmaking after Venice decided to move its dangerous open-flame furnaces off the main island.
Murano offered the space and safety needed, and soon became a creative hub. But it’s not just about preserving tradition. Walk into any working furnace today, and you’ll see a balance of centuries-old techniques and modern design. Names like Venier, Venini and Mian still operate with this vision in mind.
Gino Mazzuccato is one of those historic names, and I was curious to see how they approach this delicate craft today.
About Gino Mazzuccato Glass Factory
Gino Mazzuccato has been a family-run glass factory since 1958. It’s known for combining tradition with innovation and offering one of the most personalised visitor experiences in Murano.
They offer various types of visits—from group demonstrations to private glass-blowing experiences (like the one I booked).
You can also browse different showrooms with everything from smaller decorative items to impressive statement pieces.
They even provide a water taxi service to make the whole experience easier to plan — something I appreciated. You can book the group or private experience below.
Where is the Glass Factory?
The Gino Mazzuccato furnace is located right on Murano island. If you book through GetYourGuide like I did, they’ll offer a private transfer service.
If you’re visiting independently, you can get there via vaporetto (ACTV lines 3 or 4.1/4.2 and 12 from Venice).
The Experience
The experience I booked via GetYourGuide included water taxi pick up at accommodation or the closest point accessible by boat, private glass blowing demonstration and the experience of blowing the Murano glass.
Then extra time to take a look at the showrooms and if you wish purchase Murano glass. If you wish, you can visit Murano on your own and get back any time to get your water taxi back to Venice.
1. Getting to Murano in a Private Water Taxi
I was staying in the Castello neighbourhood at this lovely B&B, and after booking my experience, the staff contacted me to arrange a pick-up.
We agreed to meet at Giardini Biennale, the closest point accessible by boat. The water taxi arrived right on time. The ride itself was a treat — gliding across the lagoon towards Murano in my own boat set the tone for a very special morning.
I downloaded the GetYourGuide app beforehand and communicating with the team through the chat function was quick and easy.
2. Glass Blowing Factory
When I arrived at the Gino Mazzuccato private dock, I was welcomed by the staff and led straight into the working furnace.
The space was warm, atmospheric, and full of energy. I waited briefly while the previous group finished, then it was just me and the master glassblower along with a presenter explaining the glassblower work and sharing interesting facts.
The experience started with an overview of how Murano glass is made — the basic ingredients (mainly silica), how it’s melted at extremely high temperatures (over 1000°C), and why it needs to cool down slowly to prevent cracking.
The expertise and physical strength required is no joke — you need not just technical skill, but real passion and precision.
Then came my turn to try blowing the glass. It’s much harder than it looks! You require a surprising amount of breath control, and the timing is crucial.
Having the space to try it without an audience or group pressure made a real difference. I was able to ask questions, take photos, and actually understand what was going on.
3. Shop and Showrooms Tour
After the demo, I visited the main showroom — but the real gems were in the private rooms. Some of the pieces were enormous and absolutely stunning (and yes, some came with eye-watering price tags).
Even if you’re not planning to buy, it’s worth seeing just how versatile Murano glass can be: chandeliers, sculptures, tableware, and modern art pieces all displayed in curated settings.
Once I was done browsing, a member of staff contacted the water taxi for me. In about 15 minutes, I was back on the boat heading toward Venice.
That said, you don’t have to rush — if you want to explore Murano a bit more, you can coordinate with the staff and return for your ride later.
Other Furnaces Worth Visiting in Murano
If you’re planning to explore Murano further or want to compare different workshops, here are a few other glass factories I recommend that offer hands-on experiences or impressive demonstrations — all of which you can book directly:
- Wave Murano Glass – A popular choice for interactive workshops, especially great if you want to try your hand at making small objects yourself. The team is friendly and the atmosphere is casual yet informative.
- Fornace Mian – A family-run furnace with deep roots in the Murano tradition. They offer both guided demonstrations and creative workshops, often focused on combining classic and contemporary techniques.
- Venier – This historic furnace offers excellent guided tours with detailed explanations. It’s ideal if you want to gain a deeper understanding of Murano’s heritage while watching expert glassblowers at work.
- Seguso – One of the most prestigious names on the island. Seguso offers curated visits and private demos, showcasing their centuries-old craftsmanship. A great option if you’re interested in high-end art glass and design.
Each of these furnaces brings a slightly different approach to Murano glass — whether you’re after a hands-on experience, a deeper dive into the tradition, or a look at some of the finest art glass in the lagoon.
Murano Glass Blowing Experience
This private glassblowing experience was nothing like the large group tours I’d tried before. Having one-on-one time with the master glassblower made all the difference.
I observed the detail, felt the heat of the furnace, and appreciated the complexity and beauty of the process. If you like to get up close and personal with local traditions, then this is the kind of immersive experience worth booking.
If you love these types of proccess and you’re interested in learning about other artisans in Venice I invite you to read about some of my favourites while here.
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