The ancient and fascinating art of glassblowing has, across the centuries, preserved the same movements and techniques with which artisans and master glassmakers once created glass objects on the island of Murano. The tradition of blowing glass to shape it — quite literally inflating it to create flasks, chandeliers and other works — has continued to be passed down from generation to generation, appearing before the eyes of spectators exactly as it did in the past. Despite advances in technology, the glassblowing demonstration retains its hallmarks of craftsmanship, simplicity and essentiality: the tools used are those of old, the gestures are a faithful echo of a world that continues to live by its own rhythms and secrets…
But what exactly does a glassblowing demonstration consist of? What can a modern visitor admire at a Murano glassworks like ours? To answer briefly, it is perhaps worth providing some key details about the format of the glassworks visit:
- visits all year round, 7 days a week
- you can book online or on the spot, 10 minutes before
- guide’s explanation in your language
- free visit to the Ellegi Murano Glass showroom afterwards
- children and young people under 15 enter FREE
- adults pay €5 admission
And the demonstration itself? How does it work? How long does it last? And what does it involve? If up until early 2026 our glassworks offered a single format lasting 20 minutes, open to large groups as well, for the new season and the years ahead we have decided to expand the offering with two new formats designed for those who wish to get even closer to this noble art.
We discussed this recently in our article on Murano glass workshops, but the news certainly deserves the fullest attention — we are particularly proud of it and we want to spread the word as widely as possible! If you are thinking of visiting Murano to witness a live glassblowing demonstration, our premium experiences are just what you need! Keep reading and find out how to take part in one of the many demonstrations scheduled every day in Murano at our glassworks!
GLASSBLOWING: WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO PREPARE
People who would like to know more about glassblowing often ask us what to expect and what might happen once the visit begins. First of all, it is important to provide a few basic guidelines, useful for organising the tour and any optional workshop with friends or family. In brief:
- the demonstration takes place indoors, with comfortable seating, or at times also standing — for example during the Prime and Gold experiences, where interaction with the master is direct
- inside the showroom there is a bathroom and a snack corner with soft drinks and coffee
- the furnace experience takes place in person, in front of a real master, with a duration ranging from 20 to 30 minutes
- the cost depends on the type of experience and demonstration: €5 per person for the classic visit, €30 per person for the Prime experience and €50 per person for the Gold experience (see next section)
- payment can be made online and at the glassworks for the Classic experience, while for the Prime and Gold experiences it is online only
What you see therefore depends on the demonstration you choose. We have decided to divide the options into three precisely in order to offer more alternatives and a more or less immersive version of the experience. In other words, what you can do and see during a demonstration varies according to the package booked, with additional possibilities and extras for those who purchase the Prime and Gold versions. Let’s look at what each package involves in detail.
STANDARD, PRIME AND GOLD: THE 3 VISITS TO ELLEGI GLASSWORKS
Murano glassblowing demonstrations take place at the Ellegi Murano Glass furnace and glassworks, located at Fondamenta S. Giovanni dei Battuti, number 4b/5. Within this space, which also houses a showroom, our master glassmakers alternate in demonstrations of glassblowing and “battitura” (worked glass) — two distinct techniques that lead to the creation of artistic objects of extraordinary beauty. Each experience is different from the others and allows you to enjoy the demonstration in a unique and personalised way. More specifically, the experiences we have chosen to offer are divided into:
Classic Standard Visit
- A simple yet complete introduction to Murano glass-making, aimed at all those looking for an authentic, genuine live glassblowing demonstration with a shorter time commitment.
- Photos and videos permitted
- Guide’s explanation in your language
- Access to the showroom featuring artistic glass works
- Open access during available hours
- Price: €5 per person (children under 15 free)
- Payment: Online and at the Glassworks
Prime Experience (from August 2026)
- For those seeking a more intimate, private setting, ideal for immersing yourself in the creative process and becoming directly involved, including through questions and deeper insights.
- Photos and videos permitted
- Welcome drink
- Creation of 3 objects together with the master
- Exclusive explanation in English
- Showroom visit included
Gold Experience (from August 2026)
- A truly tailor-made experience for small groups of up to 8 people, or even for couples who want to treat themselves to something exclusive and out of the ordinary. The creations become a souvenir to take home!
- Welcome drink
- Live glassworking demonstration
- Creation of 3 objects together with the Master
- Exclusive explanation in English
- Direct interaction with the Master
- Showroom visit included
YOUR GLASS EXPERIENCE STARTS HERE: BOOK ONLINE
More and more people are showing interest in ancient crafts such as glass sculpting and shaping. After all, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find people who dedicate themselves to such age-old activities. On the island of Murano, right next to Venice, these traditions and techniques survive to this day, revealing their value to a broad audience of adults, teenagers and children alike. It is impossible to remain indifferent in the face of the spectacle of a glass horse taking shape and cooling before your eyes.
If you too want to enjoy a glassblowing demonstration from a comfortable seat, all you need to do now is choose your experience and fill in the form on the dedicated page. Remember that you will always have the option of booking your visit to the Ellegi Murano Glass showroom, regardless of whether you participate in one of our experiences. Take advantage of it and come and visit us whenever you like!
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT US NOW!
After reading this article, do you still have questions or curiosities? Don’t worry: there are multiple active channels for getting in touch with our staff. You can use, among others:
- the email address ellegimuranoglass@gmail.com, to write to us at any time and receive a reply within 24 hours
- the landline number +39 0415274822, also active for international calls — the recommended option for instant information and direct bookings
- the contacts page, with a form to fill in where you can leave your details (email address and phone number) and describe your request in detail
To plan your visit and prepare for the demonstration, you can also read the information in the various sections of the website, as well as the blog articles published so far. For example, you can find out how to reach us and which ferry lines to take by visiting the Factory page. In all cases, for any queries, we invite you to send your request with no obligation, either by email or through the website form. If instead you want to book your glass experience directly, simply visit the Premium Experiences page, where you will find the new experiences scheduled from August 2026. Treat yourself — and the people you love — to a truly fulfilling experience: join us for a blown glass demonstration with Ellegi Murano Glass!