Palazzo Giovanelli Gran Canal

Journey into one of Venice’s most enduring artistic legacies through the story of Murano glass. This cultural experience reveals how glassmaking shaped the power and prosperity of the Venetian Republic for centuries. Learn about the earliest glass masters recorded in Venice as far back as the 10th century and uncover evidence of even older production on the island of Torcello.

Follow the pivotal moment in 1291 when glass furnaces were moved from central Venice to Murano, transforming the island into a centre of excellence. From mirrors and bottles to guarded techniques, the experience brings to life a craft that defined Venice’s identity.

Travel across the Venetian lagoon to the vibrant island of Burano, where colour-filled houses frame one of Italy’s most celebrated artistic traditions. This experience explores the centuries-old craft of Burano lace, renowned across Europe for its delicacy and complexity.

Learn how the island’s fishing heritage shaped lace-making techniques, originally linked to net weaving and repair. Trace its rise from the late 15th century, when pattern books and design manuals flourished in Venice, to its status as a prized luxury worn by queens and noble families. From royal coronations to European courts, Burano lace reveals a story of skill, patience and enduring cultural pride.

Step into a living chapter of Venetian history within the walls of Palazzo Giovanelli, a sixteenth-century noble residence shaped by power, art and culture. Once home to the Coccina, Foscarini and Giovanelli families, the palace welcomed figures such as Doge Marco Foscarini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and King Frederick Christian IV of Denmark.

Walk through interiors adorned with polychrome marble, mythological frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti and finely preserved stuccoes. Discover original beamed ceilings and a rare eighteenth-century secret passage once used by the Doge himself. This experience offers a rare chance to inhabit Venice’s aristocratic past, thoughtfully restored and carried forward with enduring elegance.