Murano is an island (actually a collection of five small islands) located just north of Venice, Italy. Glassmakers began settling on Murano over 1,000 years ago.
Murano's role as one of the most important places in the history of glass was assured in 1292 when it became illegal to manufacture glass within Venice. The reason for the law was two-fold. First, it isolated the considerable risk of fire to the islands. Second, it allowed the Venetians to better control access to the glass works and the many glass making secrets they held.
Murano, now a decidedly more welcoming tourist destination, remains an active and important center for glass art.
