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Santi Maria e Donato : The entire floor of the church is one giant mosaic

Santi Maria e Donato : The mystical birds featured in the mosaic are rendered in porphyry, serpentine, and other precious stones

Santi Maria e Donato : The Virgin Mary is depicted in this 12th-century gilded-glass apse mosaic

Santi Maria e Donato : A detailed, descriptive panel provides comprehensive information about the mosaics

Santi Maria e Donato : Murano glass mosaic

Santi Maria e Donato : Hidden behind the altar are 4 giant bones, most probably belonging to a large extinct Pleistocene mammal

Santi Maria e Donato : Legend says the bones belong to a fierce dragon slain by the patron saint of the church

Santi Maria e Donato : The exterior of the apse features contrasting hues of Istrian stone and brick

Santi Maria e Donato : On the opposite side of the church, the facade with the entrance is rather simple

Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato

Basilica of Saints Mary and Donatus

Old church with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and a dragon myth.

With Kids Without Crowds

Murano island

Murano Museo (4-min walk)

Get more info about waterbuses

www.sandonatomurano.it

Visit official website

+39 041 739056

Standard admission is €3.50.

Highlights

One of the oldest churches in the lagoon

Although legends and chronicles differ on whether the Holy Roman Emperor Otto the Great or the Murano locals built the church.

'Dragon bones'

If you look behind the altar, you can still see legends prevail: the giant hanging ribs are said to be the bones of a dragon slain by San Donatus.

Mosaics from the 12th century

The Virgin Mary is depicted in a gilded-glass mosaic, while the floor pavement features legendary birds and geometric patterns rendered in precious stones.

Why visit

You'll be welcomed by an elegant exterior and then mesmerized by the mosaics inside. Kids will ask countless questions about the fabled dragon.

How to Get There

Get to Murano

Waterbus lines 3 and 4 will take you from Venice to Murano in less than 15 minutes.

Explore Murano

Nearby

These top places are steps away from Santi Maria e Donato:

Museo del Vetro : The spacious central room, also known as the portego, situated on the first floor

super close

Museo del Vetro

Rio dei Vetrai : The assortment of glass creations found in the artisan shops is quite varied

10-15 min away

Rio dei Vetrai