A land to be discovered by admiring the creations of local artisans
The hands of the craftsmen in Tuscany are golden, because they have the ability to adapt a millenary tradition to the contemporary world, implementing specialized practices and techniques to the craftsmanship that shapes elements granted by Mother nature. Visiting the workshops of the Valdichiana Senese is a bit like taking a journey through history: here, the women and men who create in the local artisan workshops are custodians of a very long tradition.
Craftsmanship in Valdichiana Senese: a bit of history
The Etruscans, among the first inhabitants of this land, soon identified the qualities of the clay of the Trequanda area (one of the nine villages of the Valdichiana Senese), to make vases, amphorae and artefacts. Shortly thereafter, the Romans began making jewelry here in gold and other metals, to be sold throughout the Mediterranean. From the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century, fabrics were produced throughout the Valdichiana: from the roughest, such as hemp and cotton to be used in the countryside, to the most refined silks, used to dress aristocrats and illustrious personalities of Tuscany. Finally, the humble productions of the first half of the twentieth century, which are still preserved in the houses of the Valdichiana Senese, linked to the rural and peasant reality,
Meet the artisans, experience Tuscany
Today, being an artisan is not easy, but Tuscan artisans stand out for their originality and professionalism, they bring creativity and innovation to the work table, starting from the elements and techniques refined over centuries of history. It is a heritage to be protected and valued, a tangible sign of Tuscan uniqueness, of the strength of a land that inspires and attracts. Meeting the artisans and admiring their handicrafts allows you to explore Tuscany in a different way, creating a bridge with local communities. The workshop is the place where ideas and points of view are exchanged, which materialize into precious objects for those who make them and for those who will own them.
Laboratories with local artisans will awaken your creativity and improve your manual skills. All you need to do is choose a material and knock on the shop door: there will be tools and machinery, aprons and dust waiting for you. Above all, there will be an artisan, ready to pass on all the passion that drives his craftsmanship.
The project
This portal is an introduction to the artisan heritage of the Valdichiana Senese: the local universe is much broader than you can imagine. The site wants to be a real shop window, to invite you to enter, observe the objects, get to know who designed and created them.