Tuscan Ceramic Making: Experience Traditional Pottery with a Master Craftsman in Montelupo
5.0
107 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
(107 Ratings)
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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
Chandra_b
Mar 15, 2024
BEST EXPERIENCE IN TUSCANY!! - Just a couple of train stops outside Florence is the Italian Village experience you are looking for. Matteo and his family...and the rest of the villagers too....were warm and welcoming. We got coffee, went to the factory (THE place where high end brand name stores in America source their pottery...think P Barn, Will/Son, C&B, etc.), before returning to the shop to meet the Master Potter who helped us shape our own bowls!!!
Review provided by Viator
Tucker_t
Mar 8, 2024
Take this tour!! - Matteo was extremely friendly and his father was very patient. His father is the master potter. The tour of the ceramic factory was AMAZING! The entire experience was WONDERFUL! We highly recommend this experience in Montelupo!!
Review provided by Viator
Judith_w
Mar 8, 2024
Hands on pottery experience - Matteo and his family offer an excellent explanation of Tuscan ceramics. We toured their factory to see the complete process from clay block to finished pieces - all done by hand by craftsman. Then we headed to the shop where his father gave us a hands on experience in creating our own wheel thrown bowls. We can’t wait to see the finished pieces when they are shipped to our home in the US.
Review provided by Viator
Miriam_w
Feb 29, 2024
Fantastic Experience - We had a fantastic time. We visited the factory and met with the artists we made some pottery and also found some beautiful pieces of art. Montelupo is a lovely town with an excellent gourmet restaurant, Osteria Livornese.
This was a lot of fun and the experience should not be missed.
Review provided by Viator
Haaris_a
Dec 29, 2023
Amazing pottery experience on our honeymoon - Sensational experience with Matteo and his family - he made it a lovely, intimate experience for us (even though it was our first time doing pottery!). Would highly recommend for any couple to take part in.
Review provided by Viator
Laurenz_b
Dec 5, 2023
great experience - It was a wonderful morning! Seeing the production (and trying to do it ourselves) was really fun!
:)
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Teresa_l
Dec 4, 2023
Great experience with family experience. - Amazing experience! We enjoyed meeting the entire family. They were all so welcoming and their work is exceptional. We had a tour of the factory as well and it was amazing. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Catie_p
Nov 29, 2023
11 out of 10!! - Mateo was wonderful and was clearly very invested in our experience. We were not just another number to him. I am a beginner potter and was very interested in the whole process. Mateo spent extra time with us answering all our questions. The tour of the factory and showroom was really cool to see. You can tell how much much effort and pride goes into each step. I also learned that a lot of the methods I use in pottery are not used in Italy, which was very interesting. Mateo's dad also spent extra time with me so I could show him how I was taught to throw a pot and then he guided me through their process. My boyfriend did not have any experience with clay and thoroughly enjoyed his time as well.
Review provided by Viator
Angie_j
Nov 4, 2023
Unforgettable Experience!! - Matteo was SO wonderful and this experience was one of the highlights of our Italian honeymoon!! He was so passionate about the business and took us through the factory and showed us the entire process start to finish. The show room was breathtaking and he helped us custom order a piece for our new home. Throughout the whole experience he answered all our questions, and we were able to make our own pottery through lessons with his father. We really felt like a part of the family by the end of it! He also gave us lunch recommendations for after the experience.
Would HIGHLY recommend this experience to anyone, it was unforgettable!!
Review provided by Viator