Among the vast array of experiences available in Venice, shopping in historic shops is one of the most interesting. A tour of the most beautiful artisan workshops between the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square allows you to discover countless historical curiosities about trade in the Venetian Republic, as well as rediscover the craftsmanship that has been passed down for centuries to new generations of artists.
districts San Polo , you'll have the opportunity to indulge in some quality shopping and purchase the artisanal and fashionable creations of Venetian masters. Your next weekend in Venice is enriched with a new, essential tour of the lagoon's centuries-old workshops, for a journey through the city's historic and curious corners and, why not, for some high-end shopping.
The centuries-old shops of the lagoon
The Serenissima was the hub of all trade routes: goods arrived in Venice by sea from all over the world, precious raw materials that sparked the development of arts and crafts that can still be admired in many workshops that, despite their transformation for tourism, have resisted time and mass-marketing. LagoonIt is no coincidence that UNESCO World Heritage Site precisely because of its inestimable historical and cultural value, which has survived to this day.
In Venice, this historical legacy is preserved in spaces open to the public, where all enthusiasts can admire the artisanal work and take home unique and priceless objects. Far from the tourist routes, here, Made in Italy, or rather, Made in Venice, through conscious consumption, sustainability, art, and uniqueness.
Among the most interesting pieces we can find lace and linen work, fabrics made on ancient looms, high-class tailoring pieces, but also porcelain, glass and work in paper and other sustainable or recycled materials, with remarkable attention to detail and a manual commitment that is handed down from father to son and that resists the dictates of fashion.
Jesurum Shop
A Venetian brand since 1870, Jesurum is a lace workshop that was once the official supplier of fabrics to the Italian royal family. Its embroidered trousseaus are among the most coveted by the Italian aristocracy, and even today the Venetian luxury brand maintains a strong position on the international market. Tablecloths, sheets, and towels are all made by ladies who have mastered the art of lacemaking, an ancient craft that flourished here thanks to the school founded in the 19th century by Margherita of Savoy.
Luigi Bevilacqua Weaving Mill
is historic weaving workshop 's Luigi Bevilacqua renowned for its use of original 18th-century looms, which create unique brocades, damasks, velvets, and many other handcrafted fabrics, often commissioned by churches and palaces. Loom work is slow and physically demanding; the fabric is worked on multiple layers, a process of excellence.
The business itself is now a top tourist attraction, and these fabrics still travel the world, spreading the Bevilacqua family's art to luxury restaurants and hotels around the world. The shop is located in its historic location at Santa Croce 1320.
Piedaterre since 1952
You can't visit Venice and its fashion district without purchasing signature shoes , the famous Furlane. Here at Piedaterre, a shop run by Alessandra and Renato, you can admire these shoes, crafted with high-quality materials and traditional methods, yet incorporating innovations focused on sustainability and uniqueness, following the latest trends in comfort and foot movement. Originally designed as the footwear of gondoliers, these shoes are now an ultra-comfortable, slip-resistant, and easy-to-wear must-have.
Giuliana Longo Millinery
Yet another historic workshop is that of Giuliana Longo, founded in 1902, which creates all types of hats, including the authentic gondolier's hat, which is made exclusively in the Longo workshops. From classic Panama hats to carnival hats, the workshop is absolutely not to be missed, if only because it is located in the Fabbrica del Sarti, right next to the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro designed by Palladio.
A stop in the lagoon to admire the shops
Your trip to Venice may be short, but if enriched with an experience like a visit to the ancient shops of Rialto, you can extend your stay and make your trip a journey through time and the history of this magnificent city. To make the most of your next weekend in Venice, all you need to know is where to go and, above all, where to stay.
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