Made in Florence

For a city, its art and culture are like a bridge connecting with the rest of the world while its handicraft a business card shown to the world.

Release time : 2021-02-19 16:19:17

source : Florence Tourism Bureau

For a city, its art and culture are like a bridge connecting with the rest of the world while its handicraft a business card shown to the world. Many have heard of “made in China” and “made in Italy”, and more and more are attracted by products “made in Florence”. Florence, an ancient capital sitting in Tuscany, has every reason to declare itself as a well-established craftsman. Why is this city proud of its handicraft? All starts with a handicraft association which was born around the 13th century. The association grouped people who were engaged in the same profession and thus had common interests. They specialized in handicrafts and rarely participated in the city’s political life. These people seemed to be of little importance for society. However, handicrafts which were of great artistic and aesthetic value soon became well-known and popular. Among the handicrafts of Florence in the past, leather, tailoring, weaving, paper and fragrance were particularly prominent. The craftsmen have inherited the traditions and applied innovative technology, making Florence a production center of exquisite handicrafts today.

Every tourist in Florence might be attracted by magnificent churches of European styles or vivid sculptures. Nevertheless, handicrafts by artisans can’t be missed in this ancient capital. Today’s Florence showcases plenty of world-famous handicrafts, including gold, leather, glass, ceramics, silk, spices, tailoring, embroidery and shoemaking. Hand-made jewelry workshops in Florence are mainly located in Oltrarno among residential areas in Santo Spirito、San Niccolò and San Frediano, or the nearby Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella. These workshops are particular about the material selection and creation details. Artisans are always pondering how to meet the demands of picky customers.

A new handicraft cultural center Officina Creativa has been established in Vecchio Conventino within