Credo

The Glass Cathedral has been developed out of Love for the Art of Glass Blowing on Murano.
"We want to make this place come alive by creating events and presenting the different grand Masters of Glass. We want it to be a center of culture where everyone feels at home and visitors to Murano can understand the unique spirit of this island of Venice, which for centuries has been a world center of glass. "
- Giovanni Belluardo

The history of the  Glass Cathedral

The Glass Cathedral was  built even before the Doge told the glass masters of Venice to relocate their furnaces to Murano to prevent fires in the densely inhabited city.  The first owners were Augustinian Monks. The formal name of the building, Ex Chiesa di Santa Chiara di Murano, originates from the 14th century when Franciscan nuns started using the church. Already in 1826 Fratelli Marietti Milan started a glass factory in the building. In the early 21th century the former cathedral had turned into a ruïne (see the video below).

In 2012 Giuseppe Belluardo, his father Giovanni and brother-in-law glass blower Ion Cafadaru decided to rebuild and renovate the Ex Chiesa di Santa Chiara. The result is amazing. The venue is used for glass blowing demonstrations, but is also a fairy-tale wedding location. Many exclusive events are organised in the ravishing salons.​

Giovanni Belluardo was named a Knight of the Order of San Marco for what he has done for Venice and for the Love for Glass that drives his choices. 

The state of the Glass Cathedral before restoration