Art & Craft in Oltrarno

The experience begins in the heart of the Oltrarno district in Florence, where Elena introduces you to the atmosphere of Piazza Santo Spirito, a lively square shaped by cafés, a daily market, and the steady rhythm of neighborhood life. After a coffee at the counter, as locals do, you step inside the church that overlooks the piazza and visit its old sacristy, home to a rare work by Michelangelo: a crucifix carved in poplar wood. You then walk through the surrounding streets to reach a traditional Florentine workshop. Gloves and work coat on, you learn the fundamentals of etching alongside local artisans, exploring the tools, inks, and techniques behind intaglio printmaking. You print your own piece using the press and take home an original work created with your hands. The experience closes at one of Florence’s historic wine windows. A small knock, a wooden shutter opens, and you end the afternoon with a glass of wine that links past and present in the most Florentine way.

This experience weaves art, craftsmanship, and everyday life in Florence. Oltrarno sits “on the other side of the Arno,” historically a hub of Florentine artisan workshops where goldsmiths, leatherworkers, printers, and restorers still practice crafts handed down over centuries, making the neighborhood one of the few places in Florence where living craft traditions remain visible in everyday streets and studios. Before entering the workshop, you encounter the deep roots of Florentine artistry inside Santo Spirito, a landmark that reveals how handmade traditions have shaped the city for centuries. This sense of continuity sets the tone for what follows, connecting past and present. In the studio, you learn directly from artisans who work with patience, precision, and imagination. Their guidance turns the technique into a personal encounter with their world, allowing you to create your own piece and understand the dedication behind it.

Elena Pietrunti is a Chianti-based licensed guide, professional driver, and wine expert who moves with ease from Florence city center to its hillside viewpoints and the vineyards of Chianti. She blends deep local knowledge with a sharp, intuitive way of reading each place, creating routes that feel natural and full of character. Elena connects a medieval alley to a sweeping terrace, a lively square to a quiet road among the vines, always setting the right rhythm for the moment.

Comfortable shoes and your curiosity.