The Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) was founded in 1861 with the aim of mapping out the history of Murano glass art. In 1923, the Glass Museum became part of the Venetian Civic Museums.The museum’s vast collection is displayed chronologically, each room representing a different period in time. The permanent exhibition starts with an archaeological section containing Roman art objects, dating from the 1st to the 4th century A.D., it then leads on to the glass art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

This is followed by the fashionable glassworks of the 18th century and onto the revival glass pieces of the 19th century, finally leading to the 20th century design pieces. The museum houses the world’s largest historical collection of Murano glass, many of them famous masterpieces. It hosts temporary exhibitions, such as the exhibition dedicated to Murano master glass artist, Livio Seguso. In addition, it has its own library, which houses around 1,500 publications.