Murano - Santa Maria e San Donato

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999.

This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The relics of the saint are stored in a sarcophagus. Here are displayed as well four ribs of the dragon, San Donato once killed. The ribs are about a metre long. Unfortunately we could not see them. It is believed that the ribs are from a large Pleistocene animal.

The western side with the main portal of the church, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is very "sober". The eastern apses, that could be seen from the lagoon, should obviously impress the visitors.