Podcast Tour: The Living Botteghe - Florence's Final Artisans

Florence, Italy
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Duration1h 38m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English
Group sizeUp to 99 travelers

Overview

Step across the Arno river and into the hidden, dusty, and fiercely proud workshops of the Oltrarno district. This is not the Florence of crowded museums and marble statues; this is the living, breathing, sweating Florence. On this immersive sensory journey, you will uncover the secret world of the Oltrarnisti—the master artisans who are keeping Renaissance-era craftsmanship alive against the crushing tide of mass tourism. From the rhythmic clacking of 18th-century wooden looms to the sharp scent of raw leather and ox gall, you will experience the tactile reality of true mastery. Join us to discover why true luxury is measured in time, patience, and the calloused hands of the makers.

- A 2.9 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 98 min
- Ideal for travelers interested in Art, Design & Aesthetics and Social Fabric & Everyday Life
- Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

What's included

  • Verified facts woven into an engaging story
  • Interactive in-app guide for questions about the story and surroundings
  • Precise navigation between the stops
  • Immersive podcast-style audio featuring experts and locals

What to expect

  1. 10m
    A bespoke shoemaking atelier housed in a deconsecrated church, illustrating the intersection of sacred space and high craftsmanship.
  2. 10m
    One of the oldest bookbinding and papermaking workshops in Florence, showcasing the mesmerizing art of marbled paper.
  3. 10m
    A small studio demonstrating the meticulous, anachronistic process of Acquaforte etching on copperplates.
  4. 10m
    A legendary woodcarving and restoration bottega packed floor-to-ceiling with antique molds and wooden friezes.
  5. 10m
    A contemporary artisan workshop showcasing the raw, pungent reality of traditional Florentine leatherworking.
  6. 10m
    One of Europe’s oldest silk weaving mills, operating antique wooden looms that produce a mesmerizing auditory and visual experience.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet at Stefano Bemer Shoemaker in Florence on Via di San Niccolò. From Florence's main station, take local public transport toward the atelier, get off at the nearest stop, and walk the final few minutes. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.

End point

The tour ends at Antico Setificio Fiorentino on Via Lorenzo Bartolini. From here, walk to the nearest public transport stop and travel back to Florence's main station. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
€5.99 €4.79 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Red Thread · Booked through Viator
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