St Mark’s Square hosts Murano Illumina until 1 November

St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is hosting Murano Illumina il Mondo in Venice, where twelve light installations remain beneath the Procuratie Vecchie until 1 November 2026. The public exhibition connects contemporary glass design with one of Italy’s best-known historic squares.

Murano Illumina il Mondo continues until 1 November

The exhibition runs from 13 September to 1 November 2026 as a featured project of The Venice Glass Week 2026. The Comune di Venezia identifies the Procuratie Vecchie arcade as the venue and describes the installation as a display in which glass, art and the architecture of the city meet.

The twelve works reinterpret the chandelier, an object closely associated with Venetian decorative craft. The participating artists and designers include Amanda Levete, Cerith Wyn Evans, Chiara Dynys, Feleksan Onar, Richard Meitner, Tristano di Robilant, Norman Foster, Bethan Laura Wood, Xavier Le Normand, Arthur Duff, Pierre Charpin and the Scuola Abate Zanetti. Their works were produced with Murano glassmakers, as stated in the Comune exhibition programme.

Light works meet the Procuratie Vecchie arcade

The display is positioned under the arches of the Procuratie Vecchie, so the exhibition is read against the building’s long arcade rather than inside a separate gallery. That setting links the material of Murano glass with the architectural rhythm of the north side of the square.

The Procuratie Vecchie were built in the first half of the 16th century on the initiative of Doge Andrea Gritti. The building extends 150 metres from the Clock Tower to the Correr Museum and occupies one entire side of the square, with three arcades and 100 windows. It was originally the residence of the Procurators of St Mark, officials connected with administration of the basilica and charitable duties. These details are recorded by Italia’s national tourism portal.

The exhibition’s placement makes the historic arcade part of the visitor experience: the chandeliers are contemporary works, while the surrounding structure belongs to the civic and religious history of Venice. The project therefore continues the square’s long role as a setting for public cultural activity without changing its permanent architecture.

Guided visits add dates to the outdoor display

The Comune’s programme also lists guided visits in Italian and English on 27 October 2026, with the meeting point along the Procuratie Vecchie arcade beside Caffè Lavena. Earlier visits took place on 20 October and 22 October, while a further session is listed for 29 October.

The guided format explains each of the twelve light works while keeping the exhibition in its open arcade setting. The project is part of the wider Venice Glass Week programme, but its run continues beyond the festival dates and ends on 1 November 2026. The organisers’ 2026 project page also places the works in the square’s Procuratie Vecchie.

Visiting St Mark’s Square: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Murano Illumina il Mondo is on view from 13 September to 1 November 2026 beneath the Procuratie Vecchie arcade on St Mark’s Square.
• The display is outdoors under the arcade, and guided visits in English are listed for 27 October and 29 October 2026 by the Comune programme.
• The meeting point for the guided visits is beside Caffè Lavena, along the Procuratie Vecchie arcade. The works are encountered as part of the square’s public architectural setting.
• Italian is the official language of Italy and the national currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about St Mark’s Square

When does Murano Illumina il Mondo take place at St Mark’s Square?

The exhibition runs from 13 September to 1 November 2026 beneath the Procuratie Vecchie arcade.

What is displayed at St Mark’s Square?

Twelve light installations reinterpret the chandelier through collaborations between international artists, designers and Murano glassmakers.

Where is St Mark’s Square and how do you get there?

St Mark’s Square is in Venice’s historic centre, with the exhibition meeting point along the Procuratie Vecchie arcade beside Caffè Lavena.