Duomo di Murano Santi Maria e Donato
Duomo di Murano Santi Maria e Donato
Duomo di Murano Santi Maria e Donato
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Murano
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4.5
698 reviews
Excellent
383
Very good
274
Average
36
Poor
2
Terrible
3
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ991 contributions
July 2022
The interior of the church did not impress me anywhere near as much as the exterior. Furthermore, the altar area was completely covered for restovation, yet the full entry fee - however small at €3.50 - was still required. There may be more reason to go inside once the restoration is over.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polly S
South Wales, UK53 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
This is a must ...the floor is 2,000 years old my other half is a geologist and spent most of his time dating the stone and rocks for most places we went to. The floor is older than the building and it is a shame you cannot take photos.
Written 8 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina M
California18 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
If you’re like us, spending the day on Murano, this is well worth a visit. If you pay 2E to the box on the left side of the church you can illuminate the gold mosaic in the center for three minutes. The outside is nice, the inside has a lot of history and the mosaic floors are unusual. You’re not supposed to take pictures inside, but it seems like the important part is to be respectful.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seeking True Quality
Europe4,803 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The architecture of this beautiful church is Romanesque, the exterior of the apse is lavishly decorated with multicolored bricks.
But it is the inside that holds the real surprise - unique and well preserved mosaics, covering the whole floor. According to the explanations on the information panels, different parts of it carry different symbolic messages. the southern (right) aisle is the Baptism Way, the central nave is the Way of Salvation, while the northern (left) aisle is the Way of the Church. The mosaics are really beautiful!
The church is dedicated to Saint Donatus, who - according to a local tradition - slayed a dragon.
The entry was free and taking pictures was allowed.
But it is the inside that holds the real surprise - unique and well preserved mosaics, covering the whole floor. According to the explanations on the information panels, different parts of it carry different symbolic messages. the southern (right) aisle is the Baptism Way, the central nave is the Way of Salvation, while the northern (left) aisle is the Way of the Church. The mosaics are really beautiful!
The church is dedicated to Saint Donatus, who - according to a local tradition - slayed a dragon.
The entry was free and taking pictures was allowed.
Written 27 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonmarche
Orlando, FL183 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
It is known for its twelfth century Byzantine mosaic pavement and is said to contain the relics of Saint Donatus of Arezzo. Also there are sppossedly large bones behind the altar that are the bones of a dragon slain by the saint. You can't see them though because no one is allowed to go there. It was originally built in the 7th century and is known to have been rebuilt in the 9th century and again in 1040 AD, although it is possible that there have been more rebuildings. The bell tower stands alone and has some nice statues in the grassy area there. The front of the church is on the side away from the canal. The most impressive facade is the colonnaded east side, which faces the canal.
The church is not worth a special trip to Murano, but if you're already there, then you should at least check it out.
The church is not worth a special trip to Murano, but if you're already there, then you should at least check it out.
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fabioinmontreal
Montreal, Canada5,530 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Really must see in Murano. What amazing Cathedral. They are doing serious restoration, so several parts were covered and not accessible. Still, it was worth just being there and seeing the amazing art work inside.
Mosaic ,,,Altar… just about every detail is amazing .
Mosaic ,,,Altar… just about every detail is amazing .
Written 29 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman S
Harwich, MA124 contributions
Oct 2019
Some of the churches encourage you to take photos, most don't allow it (flash or not) - please don't do it here. The resident caretaker was very particular. However, he was also very helpful in describing the history of the church and making us feel comfortable with our wanderings. This is special old church with roots going back to 800 ad. One thing that amazed me was the fact that on an island that is sinking, they have been able to preserve and maintain the church for all these centuries. One particular restoration allowed the stabilization of the roof by jacking up the columns and then shimming underneath the base of the column with different thicknesses of marble to make it all level again. So even though the floor is all wavy up an down (and covered with beautiful mosaics) the roof is straight and solid.
Written 23 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
London, UK832 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
This Duomo only takes a few minutes to admire from the inside and out but is definitely worth a stop. It is just along the canal from the main glass museum as well. There is some interesting background information on its restoration, suffering from water intrusion and other problems unsurprisingly common to somewhere like Venice. There is a very impressive glass mosaic inside the building and mosaics on the floor which are the most impressive of their kind that I have seen in Venice and perhaps more widely.
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tchumb
Florence, Italy309 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
The outside is interesting and inside there are fascinating mosaics. Free entry and well worth a visit.
Written 10 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
realmainiac
Cumberland Center, ME424 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Two members of our group were eager to visit Murano for shopping during our recent trip to Venice. I had poor memories of this Island from previous visits where we were hustled to the glass factories and their associated retail outlets where the real pressure was applied to purchase the glass. I agreed to go with the stipulation that we visit the Museo Vetro and SM e Donato first, after which they could shop to their hearts content while I sat in a cafe drinking Aperol spritz. This is a beautiful and historic church best known for the intricate mosaics on the floor and the "dragon bones" behind the alter. It was very peaceful inside and out, unlike the "shopping" areas. Well worth a visit to restore your faith that not all of Murano is overtaken by commerce.
Written 23 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siamo una trentina di persone con guida e vorremmo sapere per sabato 12 ottobre verso le 15.30 se possiamo visitare la basilica, e quanto viene il ticket. Grazie
Paolo
Written 29 August 2024
Are there many attractions open in the evening on Murano?
Written 10 January 2016
Sorry, I can't remember the hours, however we were there on a Saturday and got to go in for a few minutes right after there was a baptism or some such event so it was abut mid-morning. I think they have some weekday hours it is accessible as well as Sunday services. (For a really stunning Basilica do not miss St Marks in Venice)
Written 26 June 2015
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