Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum)

The island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon is famous for its glass-making, but nearby Burano has its own crafty claim to fame - lace-making. The ancient tradition of hand-made lace is not nearly as common as it once was, but you can still see some women in Burano making lace the old-fashioned way, and you can get your lace education at the island’s Museo del Merletto - the Lace Museum.

The Lace Museum on Burano contains more than 200 examples of Venetian lace-making dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The collection is organized in chronological order over two floors, including a section on the Burano Lace School, which existed on the island for nearly 100 years. There are also special exhibits that are on display periodically, so check at the museum ticket desk to find out what extra collections are there when you visit.

In addition to the exhibits in the Museo del Merletto, you can also see traditional lace-making being done by hand by people who still maintain and practice the art form.

Practical Info:

The Lace Museum is open April 1-October 31 from 10am-6pm, and November 1-March 31 from 10am-5pm. It’s closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and May 1. Admission is €5. The Museo del Merletto is part of the Venetian Civic Museums, so it’s on the cumulative Museum Pass (which costs €24).