Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato, Murano

Romanesque church on Murano with a famous 12th-century Byzantine mosaic floor

The Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato on the glass island of Murano is one of the oldest and most impressive churches in the lagoon. Its origins date to the 7th century; the current Romanesque building is largely from the 12th century. The church is famous for its floor: a 12th-century Byzantine mosaic pavement depicting animals, geometric motifs and sacred scenes in vivid colours. Behind the altar, bones are kept that legend says came from a dragon slain by Saint Donatus. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Venice and its Lagoon, this church ranks among Italy's most significant medieval buildings.