Museo del Merletto
Museum of the Musei Civici di Venezia in the historic Scuola dei Merletti (lace school) of Burano, with Venetian lace from the sixteenth to the twentieth century.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is in Burano, in the premises of the historic Scuola dei Merletti (Lace School). The school was founded in 1872 by Countess Andriana Marcello with the aim of recovering and revitalising a centuries-old tradition, and for a long time it was a training centre for the island's lacemakers.
After the school closed, from 1978 a consortium of Venetian public bodies and the Fondazione Andriana Marcello began the recovery of the art of lace. The school's archive and premises were reorganised and catalogued, and the building was restored as an exhibition space. The museum was founded in 1981 and became part of the Musei Civici di Venezia in 1995.
The collections include over one hundred pieces from the school's collection, alongside evidence of Venetian production from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. In total the museum holds over two hundred pieces of needle and bobbin lace. During opening hours the master lacemakers work in the museum and pass the technique on to new generations, while the archive with drawings, photographs and documents is available to scholars.
The museum also promotes the national competition “Un merletto per Venezia” (A Lace for Venice), devoted to needle and bobbin lace.
Highlights
- Over two hundred pieces of Venetian lace from the 16th to the 20th century
- Historic collection of the Scuola dei Merletti of Burano
- Master lacemakers at work during opening hours
- Archive with the school's drawings, photographs and documents
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione di merletti di Burano e Venezia – Needle and bobbin lace from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, with master lacemakers at work during opening hours.
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50children aged 6 to 14, students aged 15 to 25, over-65s, MiC staff, holders of the Rolling Venice card and ISIC |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 14; free admission for ages 0 to 5. |
| Seniors | €3.50Reduction for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Students aged 15 to 25. |
| Groups | €3.50 per personSchool rate from 1 September to 15 March for classes with a named list, extended to a maximum of 2 accompanying adults. |
| Families | –Seniors + Junior offer: reduced rate for all paying visitors in groups of two adults with at least one young person up to 16. |
| I Musei delle Isole (standard) | €20Reduced €10. Valid for three months, one admission per museum: Museo del Vetro on Murano, Museo del Merletto on Burano and Museo di Torcello. |
| Museum Pass (standard) | €50Reduced €25. Valid for six months, one admission to each museum of the permanent collections of the Civic Museums (excluding the Torre dell'Orologio). |
Free admission also for residents and people born in the Comune di Venezia, licensed tourist guides in Italy, up to 2 accompanying teachers per school group, ICOM members, volunteers of the Comune di Venezia civil service programme, and holders of the MUVE Friend Card, the Amici dei Musei e Monumenti Veneziani membership card or other association cards. Online only the reduction for children, students and over-65s is available; other reductions are obtained at the ticket office with ID.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is listed as fully accessible to people with disabilities. As it is a listed historic building, the floors may have slight slopes, raised thresholds or steps of different heights. A lift and toilets are available.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Burano
Vaporetto: from Piazzale Roma or Venezia Santa Lucia station, line 4.1, 4.2 or 5.2 to Fondamenta Nuove, then line 12 to the Burano stop. From the Lido, line 5.1 to Fondamenta Nuove and then line 12.
Timetables for the lines are on actv.it, atvo.it and alilaguna.it.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Free cloakroom. Suitcases, trolleys, bulky luggage, large bags, rucksacks and umbrellas may not be taken into the rooms.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Educational activities are offered by MUVE Education. |
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