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Tuscan Ceramic Making: Experience Traditional Pottery with a Master Craftsman in Montelupo
5.0
115 Ratings
Montelupo Fiorentino
Immerse yourself in the ancient tradition of Tuscan pottery making with a master craftsman in Montelupo. Learn the secrets of ceramic making and experience the magic of transforming clay into beautiful majolica.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- La Galleria Montelupo Ceramics - The experience is made to show you what means living like a ceramist, in a countryside town outside Florence.
I will be happy to show you all the process in the factory and and then we will come back to the shop and you will make a piece by your hands!
What's Included
- Transport by private vehicle
- Raw clay, working clothes and ceramic wheel
- Shipment - the pieces you will make will be shipped to your house!
- Small-group tour in factory
- Double firing and glazing
What's Not Included
- If you would like there is the possibility to buy some ceramic (even personalized) that we make, choosing from the models in the factory or the ready pieces in the shop. Being that the shipment is free, you will get them at a very special price!
Additional Information
Hello, I’m Matteo and I appreciate your presence here!
Our family has crafted Tuscan pottery for generations, and after receiving the Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor, we’ve chosen to share our insider knowledge with anyone desiring to uncover this ancient tradition and its intricacies.
In a comprehensive two to three-hour class, we’ll take a hands-on approach to exploring the entire ceramic making process.
Our local shop has been our base for two decades, just like a home, and we’re delighted to share our love for what we do with you.
Our production site is slightly out of town (don’t worry, I’ll drive you there), and it’s where we bring our creations to life. You’ll witness how many hands it takes to transform a mound of clay into a beautifully decorated majolica.
I won’t reveal too much right now, as this is an immersive experience that truly needs to be felt - observed with your eyes, formed with your hands, and lived with your heart.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
La Galleria Montelupo Ceramics
Via XX Settembre
We will meet in the shop, easily reachable by the Montelupo-Capraia train station in three minutes by walking (there is also a car parking there, if needed)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(115 Ratings)
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Sarah_m
Jun 7, 2024
Our FAVORITE experience of Tuscany by far!! - We had the GREATEST time with this experience! We highly recommend this to anyone that would like to try something new and get to see Tuscany through a local perspective.
Matteo our host was beyond hospitable and proactive in reaching out to us and helping to direct us to the workshop. This experience is in a town 30 minutes outside of Florence easily accessible by train.
Matteo gave us the most excellent tour of Montelupo and the ceramics workshop, telling us all about the towns history and his family’s business. Getting to make our own ceramics was a blast but this experience was so much greater than we ever could have hoped.
This was our favorite part of our trip and We HIGHLY recommend it to everyone.
Review provided by Viator
Jody_n
Jun 3, 2024
Book it now!!!! You won’t be disappointed - This experience was the highlight of our trip! We loved everything about it. Mateo’s enthusiasm and knowledge about the business was so infectious. Making a pottery bowl with a master craftsman was spectacular. We shared some good laughs. The whole family was warm and welcoming. We walked around the adorable town and found some stunning views from the top of the hill. This will be a memory of a lifetime. You will be shocked at the volume of pottery hand made and hand painted by such a small number of employees.
Review provided by Viator
Leonard_t
May 29, 2024
Experience the real Florentine life! - Far away (only 30 minutes drive) from the tourist crowds in florence, here is an opportunity to experience what Florentine people actually do and have done for hundreds of years! Making pottery from local clay. And doing that whilst experiencing a tour in a still very active artisinal pottery factory with great oeners and wonderfull staff, that is just a gem! Upon finishing her first ever bowl, assisted by the wonderful father of mateo, who now manages the factory, my girlfriend (51) presented me with the biggest smile ever! So, do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in an adventure that will stay with you forever. And possibly longer, since your own created pottery will be made ready in the oven and send to you and will most likely outlive you!
Review provided by Viator
Christine
May 26, 2024
Highly Recommended - My cousin and I had the best experience here. We were treated like family, and everyone we met was extremely generous and welcoming. Five stars is not enough to encompass the wonderful time we had here!
Review provided by Viator
Michael_d
May 25, 2024
Great day in montelupo - Awesome experience we all loved the visit and everyone was so friendly. Highly recommend!
Beautiful pottery and we gave it a go at making our own pottery, a lot harder than it looks
Review provided by Viator
Courtney_h
May 22, 2024
Fabulous experience - Mateo and his family were outstanding hosts. We arrived a little early, so Mateo actually took us to one of his favorite coffee shops prior to beginning our experience. Loved the tour of the ceramics factory- very interesting and employees were very excited to engage with us and even have a little hands-on activity! The ceramics were amazing and they were very patient with helping us make our own ceramic bowl. Super fun day! Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Viator
Sandra_w
May 20, 2024
One of favorite events we did in Italy. - Our masterclass in Montelupo was one of our favorite experiences in Italy. Everyone was very friendly and so passionate about their craft. It was so interesting to see exactly how everything is done and the fact that so many things are still done the same way after so many years. In the end we each had a lovely bowl we made that will forever be a treasured memory.
Review provided by Viator
G3949fubobb
May 10, 2024
The best Italian experience ever! - This was the best experience we have had so far in Italy. Matteo was incredibly welcoming, as was the rest of his family. The factory tour was awesome. Watching real pottery artisans do their craft was eye-opening. The hands-on pottery lesson was so much fun and Salvatore made sure our pottery was round and looking like a bowl. This town is not a tourist town and we had so much fun for the afternoon with pizza, espresso and gelato. The pottery they produce is incredible and we are shipping back a number of pieces. If you are looking for a unique experience away from the crowds, this is it. Worth every penny. Thank you Matteo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hannah_h
May 3, 2024
An absolutely wonderful time, I can’t wait to do it again! - If I could give this experience 10 stars I would! Matteo and his family are so passionate about pottery and it truly shows, they were so kind, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about their craft. The tour through the warehouse was absolutely breathtaking, we chatted with a few of the workers inside the warehouse about their specialties and learned so much about the process each piece goes through. Then, Matteo brought us to the showroom they have and I was in awe, their work is stunning, I wanted to buy all of the pieces! We then went back to the shop and made two bowls with Matteo’s father who is an expert, he was so patient with us and gave us great tips. The hospitality from this family was wonderful, I can’t wait to come back to Italy and take this class and to see them again!!!
Review provided by Viator
Wayne_t
Mar 20, 2024
Great day with the clay - Matteo and his family were amazing. Matteo's energy mixed with his father's ability to patiently teach us and his mother's kindness made this a memorable day. The tour was incredible and the people working at the factory were very nice and took time to welcome us.
Review provided by Viator