Rome Master Artisans is addressed to slow, discerning travelers, who prefer spending some time in search of the real ‘soul’ of a city, rather than just eagerly striving to see as much must-sees as possible. In these times of crazy overtourism a smart detour is what you need!

Away from major monuments and crowded sites, our Rome Master Artisans tour focuses on the area, east of Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, where the River Tiber makes a big bent: via del Pellegrino, via dei Banchi Vecchi, via di Montoro, via dell ’Orso, and the many other attractive alleys and hidden corners, often named after crafting and banking activities.

Parione and Regola are the names of the two historical neighborhoods we’ll visit: along these ancient, narrow, fascinating streets, lined with noble palaces, a handful of ‘heroic’ artisans still perpetuate their art and struggle every day to survive the mounting tide of big chain stores and low-quality souvenirs’ shops. Proud, a foot in the past and one in the future.

The chance of meeting some of them, perusing their old shops, listening to their stories and personal opinions, and the possibility of buying some of their creations, will certainly enrich your Roman holiday. In some of the laboratories you can also spend some time learning the ABC of certain crafts (mosaics, jewelry), with the chance of making your own artistic objects.

The itinerary can be customized according to your interests, also depending on the artisans’ availability. Activities that we find particularly intriguing and that we’d like to show you: stone and Murano glass mosaic making, fine bronze jewelry and design pieces, marbled handmade paper things, bicycles’ repairing, a rare luthier, an open air painter atelier.

Considering that these points of interest are not too distant from one another, we’ll spend about three hours, including a stop for coffee and cake in a cozy, old-fashioned bakery.

Via del Pellegrino, not far from hectic Campo de’ Fiori, has an ancient and vaguely Middle Eastern charm, dotted as it is of mysterious dark archways and timeless courtyards.
Many of the old activities still survive here, including some very good traditional trattorias.
After a coffee and cake break, we stroll a little further into the more rarified ambiance of Via dei Banchi Vecchi – referring to Florentine bankers – lined with Renaissance buildings with curious reliefs and inscriptions. We continue through Via dei Banchi Nuovi and around.
North of Piazza Navona we find one of the most fascinating Roman streets: Via dell’ Orso, famous for its high density of artisans’ ateliers, and, although you’re just steps away from one of the busiest squares of Rome, it still retains much of its original Medieval atmosphere.
Supporting these artisans by appreciating and possibly getting some of their creations or, even more, enjoying spending some time crafting your own art, will contribute to keeping away from these streets those impersonal brands that are literally invading the whole Earth!
Diversity is a great cultural richness, and we must try to do what we can to preserve it.
If you liked our Rome Master Artisans tour see similar tours in Florence and Venice.