We were in Venice on a Tauck tour and our tour guide brought us to this location to see how the Murano glass is made into various products. The demonstration was pretty impressive and interesting. Afterwards, you can stroll through the store to check out the various items they sell. They had everything from wine stoppers to Christmas ornaments to picture frames to glasses and vases and many other really big expensive glassworks. read more

This is an impressive showroom and has plenty of Murano glass to view and buy. My wife and I stopped here as part of a tour and picked up a couple of small items - they do sell much larger custom made high-end Murano glass, but we were just looking for a couple of souvenirs. Pricing is clearly higher than the local souvenir shops that mostly sell asian-made duplicates, so you will pay up a bit for quality and the glass blowing show that they perform right in front of you. I would highly recommend the experience, and I never felt pressured to buy. read more

This glass factory is located on a narrow street (is there any other kind in Venezia you ask?) behind Piazza San Marco. The brochure says the factory features the largest glass equestrian work of art in the world, and I have to admit, it was pretty impressive to watch the master artisan transform a hot molten blob into a delicate prancing horse. While we were allowed to photograph the craftsman at work, once in the showroom, all cameras are switched off. The proprietor explained the beauty, quality and resilience of Murano glass by flicking a glass tumbler so it would fall over. Only, it didn't. The curved bottom righted itself, and the glass did not even shiver much less shatter into pieces. Impressive. To cap it off, he said, "In here, the glass no break. You take home, it breaks." We laughed appreciatively. According to the proprietor, there are only 14 families who carry on the tradition of handmade Murano glass. In fact, Murano is synonymous with Venetian glass. In the 15th century, mirrors were their first glass products made then crystal. The addition of lead oxides made them stronger as well as the cut. Murano glass features some 6000 colors, for example, magnesium provides the violet color to the glass, cobalt becomes blue, copper becomes green, selenium becomes red -- the more expensive glass - and so on. Mosaic glass is perhaps the most beautiful and interesting in terms of the technique used and resulting piece which can resemble miniature flowers. The remainder of the time in the factory was left to shop in the showroom, which featured everything from glass chandeliers to pitchers and jewelry. If you buy, they will carefully pack and ship to your home so you needn't carry it with you. Check 'em out! read more

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WARNING! Unethical business practices! We visited Vecchia Murano at the end of July and purchased a very expensive vase. The salesman (Andron C.) went through seemingly elaborate steps of recording the vase's unique identification number and copied this information to our receipt, which gave me the impression that there was a uniqueness to the glass work we had had purchased. Fortunately for me, I took a picture of the vase we bought because when examining the one we received (it was shipped to the US), it became apparent that the vase had been swapped for another similar vase. Additionally, their "signature of authenticity" is a sticker that is not unique in any way and could be applied to glass purchased from Walmart if they chose to do so. When I emailed asking for an explanation, they asked for pictures, which I provided. Since then, I have received no response despite repeated attempts to get updates. Please consider yourself warned. I would recommend purchasing from a seller that can guarantee authenticity of the art they sell and would NEVER try to con one of their customers. read more

I came here in September a part of a tour. From the very beginning, I felt uncomfortable being in here. They show you a glass blowing act and bring you inside to purchase glassware. They look beautiful on the outside but are they worth $$$$?? When you go outside, they sell the exact same thing for a $1. Anyhow, on the small hope that this place was honest, I purchased a pair of glass studded earrings. I asked if it was silver and the lady said yes. I really doubt it because it wasn't marked with "925", but i went a head and paid $20 Euros for them. I put them on for one day and slept in them, the next morning both studs fell off! The tiny glass stud was only superglued on. It was my own fault for purchasing them, knowing I was doubtful anything in the store was real. I don't recommend this place to anyone. Please don't be tricked!! read more

I came here a little less then a month ago. Saw the guy making the glass. Which was pretty nice. Went inside the store and there were a lot of nice glasses. I was skeptical at first about buying glasses and having them shipped back to the US (I wanted it engraved). I decided to just order them, they said I would receive it in about 4 weeks. I ended up receiving the glasses in 3 weeks and they were not broken (the packaging was phenomenal) and just as beautiful as when I saw them there. I could not be any more happier and relieved! read more

Vecchia Murano - Glass cup - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Venezia, VE

Beautiful place. Showed us how they make them, it was beautiful. Prices are extremely expensive, but what do you expect. Enjoyed it~! read more

We were there with a tour group and it was ok. Super hot to see them in action but that was really cool. Our guy made a horse and to see it in action gives you a much better appreciation of the work done! There is tons of things to purchase here, at all price points and they do shipping as well so no worries about packing it and getting it home, wherever home is. read more

I've had three moments in my lifetime to take this same tour. Every time, it is another reminder of how ridiculously comical this entire experience is. I think these guys pray on little old ladies, overstuffed wallets, or gullible tourists who genuinely think they are offering something terribly unique and valuable. What's totally hilarious is they almost seem to have some prescripted technique that starts with a glass blowing demonstration (some poor guy who looks either bored, exhaust, depressed, or under stimulated) doing these characteristic motions while he busts out something beautiful in two minutes flat. Then you go into this showroom where everyone who looks older and spends more than 10 seconds looking at a piece (or tying their shoes, or blankly staring at the wall, or some combination that suggests they may be ideal prey), gets descended upon by the swarmiest hard sell ever. They ship anywhere in the world. They're the best. Don't take any pictures. One of a kind. Like it but can't pay for it? They'll take a deposit with no interest. Thought you may like it but don't want it now? They'll pick you up from your hotel room and boat you over to get it later. And if you're leaving without glass in your hand... Wait! We'll make you a deal... Special discount because you're of course so damn awesome. Gimme a break. I felt like vomiting in my mouth seeing this spectacle getting played out again, and it was very uncomfortable (let alone if you actually want to know the price of an object with no intention to buy). I would only recommend this because it gives you a chance to get to the island... They sponsor all kinds of free boats to come out and see their glass factory. But while it's beautiful stuff, don't get sold unless you want to put up with a lot of pressure tactics once you get there. read more