Leather School of Florence

Tucked within the serene cloisters of the Basilica di Santa Croce, this working leather school lets you watch artisans hand-craft leather goods using centuries-old techniques passed down through generations. The school operates both as a functioning workshop and museum, offering an intimate glimpse into Florence's most celebrated craft tradition where apprentices learn alongside master craftsmen at wooden benches. You can browse the adjacent shop where leather journals, belts, and bags are sold at prices that feel refreshingly direct, without the middleman markups of nearby tourist boutiques.