Tour Overview
Take a deep dive into Florentine culture as our expert guides you on a private experience to visit 3 different workshops where you’ll meet the men and women keeping these century-old practices alive
Your private Florence Artisan Tour starts at the famous Ponte Vecchio, a historic home to the city’s jewelers. Crossing the bridge, you’ll arrive in Oltrarno. This quieter part of Florence is known for its craftsmanship and laboratories, now fighting to survive as mass tourism makes it hard for traditional arts to compete with cheap souvenirs.
Hand decorated paper
The first stop on the tour is a famous paper workshop where they create beautifully marbled paper patterns. The art started with Florentine bookbinders in the 17th century. Soon special patterns developed, like the peacock feather design that is still popular in Florence today. In the workshop, you’ll watch the artists create patterns with traditional tools. Your tour will continue with a visit to a family of Florence artisans.
Family-owned leather workshop
Florence is famous for the quality of its leather products and many people come here to visit the leather market. Oltrarno has been home to leather workers since the 14th century and although most producers have now moved out of the city, a few workshops have survived. You’ll visit a family-owned leather workshop where the mother designs and crafts purses by hand, the son produces luxury pet supplies, and the daughter makes unique, beaded jewelry and learns about their craft.
Florentine mosaic making
On the final stop on this tour, you’ll meet the artists of a mosaic laboratory. The art of mosaic was popular throughout the ancient Roman world, but Florence created its version under the Medici when the stoneworkers used pieces of different colored marbles to dramatic effect on the walls of buildings like the Medici Chapel. You’ll meet the craftspeople who carry on this tradition and watch them take rough pieces of stone and turn them into stunning works of art.
If you want to explore Oltrarno some more, your guide will give you some great suggestions for where to go and the best places to eat.
What's Included
- An expert local guidePaper marbling demonstrationMeet a family of leather workersFlorentine Mosaic and Stone work Laboratory
