- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- The miraculous barrel in the church of Santi Maria and Donato in Murano
The miraculous barrel in the church of Santi Maria and Donato in Murano
Mysteries & Legends
The miraculous barrel in the church of Santi Maria and Donato in Murano
The basilica of Saint Maria and Donato in Murano in the Venetian Lagoon, built in the 10th century, contains many treasures but also unexpected details.
With your back to the door entrance and looking at the wall of the nave above the colonnade on the left, you will notice a lion of St. Mark, accompanied by two coats of arms and a bizarre object: a small barrel, also known as ‘El botasso de Sant `Alban'.
Legend has it that the barrel was a relic belonging to the inhabitants of the island of Burano, who guarded it jealously. This barrel, in fact, was miraculous because, according to legend, after being positioned beside the relics of Sant`Albano, brought to the lagoon in 1067, it has never stopped spilling wine. The inhabitants of Murano were very jealous of this blessing that had occurred in the neighbouring island and so one night some of them stole the famous barrel from Burano.
However, once landed in Murano, they immediately noticed that the small barrel did not have any intention to spill anymore whilst the inhabitants of Burano were already coming to the island to reclaim the stolen object. ‘We cannot enjoy it? You will not either!' This was the thought of the people of Murano, who, using a ladder, walled in the small barrel in the basilica, and then invited the people of Burano to fetch if they wanted it so much...
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: Veronica Franco: the most talked-about woman in the Serenissima

Big Names
Among the various Venetian female figures of the past, certainly one of the most interesting and, for many reasons also modern, was Ver...
ViewVenice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewTop posts
Chioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
ViewVenice: The stone heart of St Mark’s Basilica

Unknown places & works
If you are visiting St Mark’s Basilica and have just abandoned the wonderful vision of the Pala d'Oro (which is a must-see), just a f...
ViewVenice: Map of Venice, what to know before you leave

Did you know that...
Did you know that Venice is not a single large island but rather a collection of 117 small islands linked together by over 400 bridges?...
ViewVenice: The origins of the Spritz cocktail

Local Traditions
Spritz, the typical Venetian aperitif, has nowadays become the iconic cocktail of Happy hour not only in Italy, but all over the world....
View