Church of Santa Maria e San Donato Church

Address: Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato, Campo San Pietro Martire, Murano, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Hours: Generally open during daylight hours; exact times vary seasonally

Admission: Free (church open to public; donations appreciated)

The Church of Santa Maria e San Donato is a Romanesque church on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon, with origins traditionally dated to the early medieval period and a principal reconstruction in the 12th century. It is well known for its Byzantine-style mosaic decoration and medieval fabric.

The interior includes a large mosaic pavement and mosaic-decorated apse areas that occupy much of the sanctuary and nave. The church plan and visible medieval stonework give a clear impression of Romanesque architecture adapted to a Venetian island setting.

A church at this site was founded in the early medieval period; the structure visible today reflects major rebuilding in the 12th century and later medieval alterations. Over time it has served as a parish church and repository for local relics and funerary monuments.

Situated on Murano, the church lies close to the island’s main canals and the Fondamenta dei Vetrai, within the Venetian Lagoon and a short vaporetto ride from central Venice.

• Mosaics and location: The church stands on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon and is notable for its extensive Byzantine-style mosaic floor and apse decoration.
• Best external view: Good views from the canal-side Fondamenta dei Vetrai allow photography of the church facade and bell tower without entering the building.

What to See#

• Mosaic pavement: 12th-century mosaic pavement in the nave and apse executed in Byzantine style, covering large areas of the floor and parts of the sanctuary.
• Bell tower: Bell tower dating from the medieval reconstruction, visible from the Fondamenta and forming part of the church silhouette on Murano.
• Interior and reliquaries: Main nave and apse area containing the high altar and medieval sarcophagi and reliquary furnishings.

Murano is reached by vaporetto (public waterbus) from Venice proper; take Line 4.1/4.2 or Line 3 from Fondamenta Nuove and disembark at Murano Colonna or Murano Museo and walk a few minutes to the basilica.

• Visit Murano early in the morning to avoid the ferry crowds and to experience the church when light hits the mosaic facade.
• Combine with a tour of a glassworks to understand Murano's historical wealth-glass trade financed much of the island's medieval churches.
• Look up: the floor is legendary for its patterning and ancient graves.