Venice is made of silent corners and skilled hands.
Artisans who create, shape, and decorate: in every corner of the city you can feel a beauty handed down from generation to generation.
Our artisanal experiences in Venice invite you to step inside the workshops, observe the masters at work, and try ancient techniques yourself: glass, paper, masks, golden lace, and calligraphy.
A creative and authentic journey, to experience first-hand the most vibrant and fascinating soul of the city.
The Art of Murano Glass
The island of Murano is synonymous with excellence in glassmaking, a tradition dating back to the 13th century. The Murano Glass Art Tour offers an immersion into the history of this craft, with guided visits to historic furnaces where master glassmakers demonstrate both ancient and modern techniques.
Visiting a glass factory with a live demonstration allows you to closely observe the process of blowing and shaping glass, an art that requires precision and mastery.
For those seeking a hands-on experience, the creative workshop with Murano glass allows participants to make small objects, such as beads or decorations, under the guidance of an expert artisan. Similarly, the jewelry-making class in Murano glass offers the chance to design unique pieces, combining colors and shapes for a personalized keepsake.
These experiences not only celebrate technical skill but also highlight the creativity and history behind each piece.
The Tradition of Masks and Calligraphy
Venetian masks, symbols of Carnival and the culture of the Serenissima, are at the center of the “Create Your Own Mask” workshop. In this laboratory, participants can decorate a traditional mask with feathers, colors, and golden details, while learning the techniques used by Venetian artisans.
Complementary to this is the Venetian calligraphy course: elegant handwriting, once essential for the Republic’s documents. With pen and ink, participants learn historic calligraphic styles, creating refined works that reflect the city’s timeless charm.
Ancient Trades and the Art of Paper
The “Trades of the Serenissima” Tour takes visitors through the workshops of artisans, apothecaries, and merchants, illustrating how these professions shaped Venice’s economy and culture.
A unique experience is the marbling of Venetian paper, a workshop where participants learn to create decorative paper with marbled patterns, a technique once used for binding books and embellishing noble documents.
These activities offer a glimpse into everyday life in historic Venice, highlighting the skill and creativity of its craftsmen.
Fabrics, Lace, and Perfumes
Venice is also famous for its fabrics and lace, symbols of refinement.
The Fortuny and Bevilacqua Fabrics and Costumes Tour explores the historic textile manufacturers, where velvets and damasks of the highest quality are still produced today, used for luxury clothing and furnishings.
The Lace Museum Tour in Burano allows visitors to admire the art of lace, with live demonstrations and a collection that tells the story of centuries of this delicate tradition.
Finally, the Perfume and Fragrance Museum Tour in Venice offers a sensory journey among essences and perfumes, with workshops to discover how fragrances were crafted in Renaissance Venice, once a major hub for the spice and perfume trade.
The Art of Mosaic and Gold Beating
For those fascinated by visual art, the mosaic course introduces the Venetian technique of creating images with glass and stone tesserae, an art that decorates the city’s basilicas and palaces.
Participants can make a small mosaic, learning how to combine colors and materials.
Another unique experience is that of the battiloro: the art of gold beating in Venice, where you discover how gold is forged into the thinnest of leaves, used for decoration and artworks.
This almost vanished trade represents a direct link to the luxury and splendor of the Serenissima.
These artisanal experiences are not only a way to discover Venice but also an opportunity to truly touch its history, creating unique memories and actively participating in the preservation of its traditions.
Ready to get your hands dirty and bring home a one-of-a-kind piece?
And book your tailor-made experience.