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Ancient ateliers and art craft schools to visit in Florence

The Leather School, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the Officina Creativa Lab, Il Bisonte: historical places full of charm and craftsmanship.

In addition to the classic museums, Florence hides in its streets many workshops and art craft schools that represent true international excellence, and are located in places full of history and charm. Visiting them is definitely worth it! You will be amazed.

1. THE LEATHER SCHOOL

The Leather School of Florence is a historic and renowned institution located in the heart of the city, within the stupendous complex of Santa Croce in Via San Giuseppe. Founded after the Second World War by the Gori families (who still manage it today) and Casini, in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the monastery, the school aims to teach the ancient art of leather working and offer job opportunities to young people, originally war orphans. Visiting the Leather School, renowned throughout the world, allows you to immerse yourself in a real laboratory that has remained unchanged and to admire the artisans making leather products in a place that has centuries of history.


Scuola del cuoio

2. HARD STONES WORKSHOP 

The Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence is one of the most prestigious Italian institutions dedicated to the conservation and restoration of works of art. Founded in 1588 by will of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici, it was originally a factory specialized in the processing of semi-precious stones and the creation of decorative works of art. Today the Opificio is an international institution that operates in two main areas: the high-level restoration school where the most advanced techniques for the recovery and conservation of works of art are taught. And the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum, located in Via degli Alfani 78, which tells the story and the extraordinary creations of the Opificio and the historical tools used by the artisans.


3. CREATIVE WORKSHOP LAB – THE CONVENTINO

Officina Creativa Lab is a multifunctional and interdisciplinary space, a hub for artistic craftsmanship that connects Florentine, Tuscan, Italian and international traditions with other "creative industries," located in via Giano della Bella, in the beautiful Vecchio Conventino (old convent).  

Located just outside the ancient walls of the San Frediano district, at the beginning of the Bellosguardo hill, between Porta Romana and Piazza Tasso, the old Conventino was founded in 1896 as the Monastery of Santa Teresa by the cloistered order of the Discalced Carmelites. This place has always been a symbol of the history of the Oltrarno, and is absolutely worth visiting: a coffee in its cloister, surrounded by shops, is a unique experience. 

Il Conventino

4. IL BISONTE – FOR THE STUDY OF GRAPHIC ART

Il Bisonte – Foundation for the Study of Graphic Art is a Florentine institution of excellence dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of graphic art and fine art printing. Founded in 1959 by the partisan and writer Maria Luigia Guaita, Il Bisonte has established itself as an important international center for artists, students and enthusiasts of engraving techniques and artistic prints. It preserves a rich collection of graphic works by Italian and international artists, collaborating over time with prominent names such as Gattuso, Moore, and Pablo Picasso. The current headquarters is located in via San Niccolò, 24/r, in the heart of the neighborhood of the same name, an artistic and evocative context that fits perfectly with the creative vocation of the foundation.


Il Bisonte

Header photo credits: 

https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/scuole/opificio-delle-pietre-dure/



Photo credits:

https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/scuole/scuola-del-cuoio/

https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/scuole/il-bisonte/

https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/scuole/opificio-delle-pietre-dure/

https://www.officinacreativafirenze.it/gli-spazi/spazio-chiostro/