About the Restoring Florence Walk in Florence
Florence, with more precious objects per square mile than most countries, is a major center for art restoring. This three-hour visit to one of the leading laboratories for restoration, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, literally "the Workshop of Hard Stones", will take travelers behind the scenes to witness the painstaking workmanship that goes into cleaning, repairing, and preserving historic masterpieces for future generations.
The Opificio dell Pietre Dure represents one of the most important restoration schools and laboratories in Italy. Originally created by Ferdinando I de' Medici for the workmanship of precious stone furnishings, the Opificio eventually started focusing its efforts on conservation, and has since restored countless masterpieces found in Florence; such as Ghiberti's "Doors of Paradise", the Cimabue cross from the church of Santa Croce and the ceiling mosaics from the Baptistery. The Opificio played a major role in the recovery of Florence, after the cataclysmic fl
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Florence, with more precious objects per square mile than most countries, is a major center for art restoring. This three-hour visit to one of the leading laboratories for restoration, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, literally "the Workshop of Hard Stones", will take travelers behind the scenes to witness the painstaking workmanship that goes into cleaning, repairing, and preserving historic masterpieces for future generations.
The Opificio dell Pietre Dure represents one of the most important restoration schools and laboratories in Italy. Originally created by Ferdinando I de' Medici for the workmanship of precious stone furnishings, the Opificio eventually started focusing its efforts on conservation, and has since restored countless masterpieces found in Florence; such as Ghiberti's "Doors of Paradise", the Cimabue cross from the church of Santa Croce and the ceiling mosaics from the Baptistery. The Opificio played a major role in the recovery of Florence, after the cataclysmic flood of 1966.
Our visit, in the company of an accomplished art restorer who trained at the Opificio, will first take place at the actual institute to get a private view of the current commissions. You might even have the opportunity to glimpse a masterpiece up close while it is being restored. Here, we will gain detailed knowledge of the scientific aspects that are the backbone of restoring. After the institute, we head to the museum, which houses a stunning collection of pietre dure pieces, vases and home furnishings.
By the end of the walk, we will have a comprehensive understanding of the complicated nature of art restoring and the unique opportunity to visit a private institute, in the company of an industry insider.
