Have you ever seen someone working with crystal? This is a unique and fascinating centuries-old art that takes incredible experience and skill. It’s impossible not to be moved by the sight of glass being worked at 800° centigrade. This scorching liquid mass is kept in movement to stop any falling on the ground. Master glassworkers have the expertise to make an enormous variety of items, from glasses to vases and much more.
Without doubt, the best place to experience glasswork is in Colle Val d’Elsa, home to almost-all Italy’s glassworks and from where even a part of the crystal in the world comes from. Glassmaking is a thriving craft in the town and there are numerous glassmaking factories and artisan workshops.
Our tour begins with a look around a factory where glass is made by hand. Visitors will watch expert local glassmakers at work. From here we will head to the town, which is home to many 19th century factory buildings. Your guide will bring these old buildings to life with stories of the history of what used to be known as “crystal city”. The next stop on the tour is a visit to the Crystal Museum, located in a disused 19th century furnace. We end our tour in an historical workshop where crystal is perfected by skilled artisans. This guided tour is for groups of between 4 and 10 people. We advise wearing sportswear and comfortable shoes. Each tour lasts around 5 hours.
