Day 4 – March 5, 2019
- MURANO – GLASSMAKING HUB
It took the hubby and me about three days of intensive walking to complete almost all the tourists spots in the city of Venice. The only transportation in this city of canals is your two feet. No other mode of transportation is available. Gosh, I have never acquired so many footsteps in a day with my FitBit.
Next, we decided to go to Murano which is located in Venice itself. To reach the destination, we had to take a boat ride about 10 minutes from Venice. I believe ladies who are into the Pandora bracelets know what Murano glass trinkets are. Murano costume jewellery is famous worldwide.
Murano is strongly associated with the glassmaking industry. The industry had been existence since the sixteenth century in this quaint town. The respective century was the golden age for Venetian glassmaking in Murano.
As the story goes, Murano became famous by default. Glassmaking industry started in Venice, but the authorities then were afraid that furnaces used to make molten glass were a fire hazard to the city of Venice. That was the main reason the furnaces were moved to Murano island. Interestingly enough, it became an International trading port during the time, establishing trading partners with Spain and Ottoman of Turkey.
Until today, Murano continues to prosper in the production of quality glassmaking. The word “Murano” itself became an international brand. Definitely, it is also linked to classy and quality.
I love the serenity of Murano township. The glassmaking artisans themselves are located in this town. Although I was made to understand during my factory visit that the numbers are fast depleting.
During a factory visit, I witnessed the actual processes of the glassmaking industry. I was fascinated with the artisans on the job. The art of glassmaking in Murano is tedious, I must say. For them, the details and product quality matter. The workers personally tend to each product. No conveyor belt processes, definitely. As such, it is no surprise that The quality end products are of high quality and and sold at high prices.
2. BURANO – TRADITIONAL LACEMAKING
From Murano, we took a boat to another island called Burano. It took us about 40 minutes ride to the destination.
The minute I stepped into Burano, what struck me most was its colourful houses. The houses built along the canal, which was located in the middle of the town, were painted with striking colours. Tourists visit the place purely to enjoy the ambience of the colourful houses.
Burano is also famous for its lacemaking. The lacemaking artisans can be seen embroidering in their small shops. It is a heartening sight to watch them (mostly elderly ladies) educating and even explaining to tourists on the art of lacemaking.
Based on my experiences in both the artisan towns of Murano (glassmaking) and Burano (lacemaking), the towns are established to conserve its heritage, including the people experts in the respective businesses.
3. CONCLUSION
Conservation of traditional arts and designs plays a role in attracting tourism in both towns. Simultaneously, due recognition is given to the elderly artisans who are contented living in the environment that accommodate their needs. Besides, they bring the revenues to the Italian government’s coffers.
My take on my experience is that maybe Malaysia or any nation can emulate such a move for the betterment of elderly living as well as providing a contented live to our elderly citizens.
Thank you for reading, guys. Have a nice day.
email: noorul.ainur@gmail.com
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Sojourner Noorul 