Also known as the Duomo di Murano, the church of Santa Maria e San Donato is one of the oldest buildings in the Venetian lagoon.
Byzantine in design, the church houses the relics of St. Donatus of Arezzo, martyred in the 4th century A.D. during the reign of the Roman emperor Flavius Claudius Iulianus.
Today, let's find out more about this establishment.
Murano church: article summary
Murano church: in brief
The church of Murano has almost always been on the small island near Venice. In fact, a document dated 999 shows that the church was built in the 7th century, when many refugees from the mainland arrived on the island of Murano.
Initially dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it received a second patronage in 1125, when the relics of Saint Donat returned from Cephalonia. Since then, it has become a place of worship for all the island's inhabitants.
A unique Byzantine style
The church was rebuilt in the 1130s in Byzantine style, in the form that has survived to a large extent to the present day. The mosaic inside is marked with the year 1141date on which the reconstruction work was completed.
In the 18th century, the church was redecorated in the Baroque style and later, between 1858 and 1873, a return to its original style was attempted. This evolution of the building was condemned by many residents and officials of the time. Indeed, the result was a hybrid of 12th-century and more recent styles, which did not please local residents.
The last restoration of the church in the 70s celebrated the return to its original form, removing the undesirable elements of the last centuries. Today, the church is open to the public, but few tourists know about this place. This hidden spot, which I recommend you visit when you're passing through Murano.
Murano church: a much-loved architectural feature
The west facade, where the church's main entrance is located, is flat, and its simplicity contrasts with the other facade, facing the San Donato canal, which offers an architectural ensemble enriched by Byzantine columns.
Inside, the church is defined by its Venetian-Byzantine columns. You can also see the superb polychrome mosaic, restored in the 70s, in all its splendor.
Behind the altar, you can see four large bones, at least 1 metre long, hanging from wires. According to legend, they once belonged to a dragon killed by Saint Donat in Greece. This information is almost a secret. Indeed, the bones are somewhat hidden to prevent tourists from crowding around the hotel.
How to get to Murano church?
The church is located in Murano, and there are several itineraries of vaporetto available to the island. You can get there by Vaporetto using :
- Line 3
- line 4.1
- line 4.2
- line 13
- or line 18.
The nearest station is Museo, where you can get off at water buses 3, 4.1 and 4.2.
What are the opening hours?
The church is accessible from :
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday
- 12.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and public holidays
How much does it cost to get in?
Murano church entrance is totally free of charge.
The Murano church is a real gem in the middle of this wonderful island. When you're in Venice, I recommend a detour and a visit to the church. include this establishment in your itinerary.
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