Murano revitalizes glass-making heritage through design and digital preservation

Murano is undergoing cultural and urban revitalization through projects focused on its historic glass-making heritage. The Punta Conterie project has transformed former industrial spaces into a contemporary hub for art, design, and gastronomy. This regeneration preserves the architectural memory of the site, which was once a major production center for glass beads, while integrating modern functions such as the Vetri Restaurant.

Simultaneously, the Municipality of Venice and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia-MuVE have launched the ‘Perle’ Project to protect and promote Murano’s glass bead tradition, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The initiative utilizes digital innovation, including a 3D virtual reality archive, to allow for the study of delicate artifacts without physical risk. The project also emphasizes education and international outreach to ensure the survival of traditional techniques, such as lampworking, practiced by artisans like Muriel Balensi.