Factory & workshop tours Luxury experiences Tours Art Culture & history Guided tours Workshops & classes Rainy-day activities Educational activities

Discover the art of goldsmithing, leather working, bookbinding, perfumery, and carving on a guided tour of Florence. Visit historic workshops and see art masters at work.

Highlights

• Discover the art of goldsmithing and semi-precious stones in Florence
• Visit the oldest pharmacy in the world, the Santa Maria Novella
• Admire the leather work at the renowned Scuola del Cuoio inside Santa Croce
• Explore the art of carving at the Bottega d'Arte Maselli
• Learn about the art of bookbinding and perfumery in Florence

Description

Discover the traditional arts and crafts of Florence on a guided tour. Visit historic workshops and see artisans at work. Admire leather work, goldsmithing, gem-smithing, bookbinding, perfumery, and more. Florence is famous for its handicrafts, and there are still historic workshops where you can admire these ancient traditions handed down from father to son for generations. Art and craftsmanship in Florence have always gone hand in hand. A fine painting needed a refined frame, noble women of the Renaissance wore jewelry and precious stones crafted by skilled artisans, and goldsmithing was a Tuscan tradition as far back as the Etruscan age. Visit historic Florentine workshops and see art masters at work. Admire leather work at the renowned Scuola del Cuoio inside the Santa Croce complex, in the premises of the Il Bisonte leather goods shop, or in Stefano Bemer's highly refined boutique. See the art of goldsmithing and semi-precious stones in Arlo Haisek's small workshop and in that of the Lastrucci family, one of the very few in the world where works are made using the Florentine “commesso” technique, inside the ancient Spedale di San Francesco. Enter the oldest pharmacy in the world, that of Santa Maria Novella, founded in 1221 by Dominican friars and where the apothecary's art found its birthplace. It was from here that Renato Bianco, master perfumer to Catherine de' Medici, departed for the French Court with the fragrance 'Aqua della Regina,' to recall the elegance and grace of Florence. Purchase excellent room fragrances at the Aquaflor store. For carving work, move to the Bottega d'Arte Maselli, world-renowned for its wonderful frames, so much so that its craftsmen have had the honor of framing even works by Da Vinci and Rosso Fiorentino.

Includes

Guided tour of historic Florentine workshops Admission to the Scuola del Cuoio and Lastrucci family workshop Visit to the oldest pharmacy in the world, Santa Maria Novella Hotel pickup and drop-off

Important Information

• Wear comfortable walking shoes as there is a moderate amount of walking involved Photography usually is allowed. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the workshops This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments due to the historic nature of the workshop locations

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund