the scuola del cuoio

If you’re a committed Florence for Free reader (that’s you mom and dad) then you know by now that I am a person whose memories, nostalgia and experiences are defined by scents. The enticing smell of fresh leather is pervasive in Florence and one of the nostalgic scents that envelopes my memories of the city. On my last day in Florence I bought myself a leather key chain in the shape of a heart around a worn and faded image of the Duomo. Dangling from my keys, this small leather heart goes with me everywhere acting as my Florence security blanket. I know that if I close my eyes and take a whiff of my leather souvenir I will immediately be transported back to the cobblestone streets, shouting nonne, and towering cathedrals of my beloved Florence.

Leather at the San Lorenzo Market by tom frog

As Meg and I have mentioned, we are all about Team Florens and their work at getting to the heart of Florence and what makes this treasure chest of a city tick – the rich culture it is renowned for and the prosperous economy which allowed it to flourish. In support of Team Florens I am writing about, what I believe, to be one of the most pure symbiotic relationships between the economy and cultural heritage – Florentine leather. For almost a millennium Florence has perfected the art of leather bringing the city such international attention as well as international money, that today it is nearly impossible for a visitor to leave the city without a piece of genuine Florentine leather. At the heart of the trade we find the internationally recognized Scuola del Cuoio of Santa Croce. A visit to the leather school will take you beyond the endless rows of leather purses and jackets flapping in the wind at the leather markets, and give you a glimpse at the technique, the skills, and the talent that goes into leather production in Florence (let’s just say that if Mr. Rogers was Italian, he would have been all over this place). As always, the cherry on top of this unique peek into an historically vital part of Florence’s livelihood and culture is its 0 euro ticket price (although we can’t promise you’ll be able to resist a little shopping)!

Florence Store Front by John Pastorello

To get to the Scuola simply exit Piazza della Signoria heading east alongside the Palazzo Vecchio on Via dei Gondi. Follow the road as it turns into Borgo dei Greci and it will empty you into the vast Piazza Santa Croce in about 6 minutes. Exit the piazza alongside the left (north) side of the basilica. Continue on Via Giuseppe for about a minute. When you reach Via dei Macci, instead of turning down the street to your left look to your right to find the entrance to the Scuola dei Cuoio.

Distance: 850 m                                                         Time: 10 minutes                                                       Cost: $0

After entering the open passageway you will wind along the backside of the cathedral for some unexpected and inspiring views of the towering basilica. Due to the lack of signage and sudden dearth of tourists, you will most likely feel like you’re trespassing. If you are a stickler for laws, don’t fret, just keep following your nose and in a couple of minutes you will come across a seemingly abandoned courtyard, a rickety staircase and the entrance to the world-famous Scuola del Cuoio.

Courtyard entrance to the Scuola del Cuoio by laura padgett

The Scuola was not founded until 1950, but the tradition of leather making in the Santa Croce neighborhood dates back to the ancient city of Florentia. With the easiest access to the Arno, and just outside of the city walls (keeping the not-so-pleasant odors of raw hide out of the center), this neighborhood proved to be the perfect location for leather making. The tradition continued through the centuries and the neighborhood became defined by its leather industry. In the fourteenth century the leather makers formed their official guild and in the Renaissance they perfected the craft that would bring international attention to the city. The neighborhood is still reflective of this trade as leather shops are more prevalent than gelaterie. Likewise, numerous street names in the Santa Croce quarter follow the leather making motif (my favorite is the Canto delle Mosche, “place of the flies,” referencing the insect paradise created by heaps of fresh animal skins).

The Scuola del Cuoio, located in the heart of this leather making neighborhood, is a product of this cultural and economic tradition. In 1950, after World War II, the Father Superior of the Franciscans at Santa Croce, along with the artisan Marcello Gori, founded the school to teach veteran soldiers the historic trade. The school provided them a practical and cherished Florentine skill with which they could make a living and a life for themselves. For similar reasons, Gori also welcomed former inmates from the Florence prison to study here. The school was more than a rehabilitation center, however. The leather products being produced were quickly becoming some of the best quality leather wares offered in Florence and attracted attention from royalty and celebrities all over the world. In 1966 the school experienced a significant setback when the entire neighborhood of Santa Croce was devastated by the flooding of the Arno. However, even the wrath of the river could not stop the persistence of leather making in Florence and within a year the school  had recovered and was back to the trade.

Leather at the Scuola del Cuoio by Richard Carter

Well enough with the history! Let’s go inside! Open the door to be greeted by that new car, I just bought a brand new pair of boots and can’t stop smelling them, sinking into a rich mahogany leather couch and never wanting to get up, I’m so glad I’m not a vegan, leather smell! After you let your nose run wild, indulge your other senses to find that the sights aren’t too shabby either.  Take a stroll down the long corridor showcasing the leather luxuries and adorned with 15th-century frescoes painted by the school of Ghirlandaio.

Scuola del Cuoio by Abbey Road Programs

Along the left wall of the corridor find the artisans carefully detailing their leather crafts, allowing the visitors a one of a kind glimpse into the tedious handcrafted production of Florentine leather. Don’t be shy to peek over the shoulder of the workers to watch them carefully gild, emboss, and embellish their treasures. Not only is the Scuola providing a few minutes of entertainment for visitors passing through, but they are keeping alive the centuries-old tradition of the artisan workshop and the purity of the art form. Maybe it is the art history student in me, but that gives me goosebumps! Don’t just take my “leather-high” word for it though, the city of Florence continuously recognizes the important social role that the Scuola del Cuoio plays in the city.

Scuola del Cuoio workshop by Darren and Brad

After you’ve gotten your fix of leather making, head into the rooms on the right side of the corridor to check out the final products. In these rooms you will find some of the pricier pieces, that certainly never fit within the boundaries of my tight budget, but luckily, indulging your tactile sense is free! If you are like me and shop by running your hands through every item on the rack, then you’ll love sampling the buttery soft fibers of the luxurious leather jackets, purses and gloves featured in these rooms.

If you’ve realized there is no way you can leave without some genuine Santa Croce Florentine leather, then head to the shop at the end of the hall.  Here you will find leather wallets, coin purses, book covers, key chains and various other trinkets that you can take with you without breaking the bank.  And bonus! By buying a piece of Scuola del Cuoio leather you are joining the ranks of royal families, presidents, and celebrities who all refuse to leave Florence without a piece from the school.

The Scuola del Cuoio will give you a new appreciation for the cultural and economic significance of leather to the city of Florence. Hopefully, it will also give you your very own leather trinket to act as your Florentine security blanket whenever you are missing the city (or is that just me that has attachment issues?).

Tags: Florentine Leather, Franciscans, leather school, leather trade, Marcello Gori, Santa Croce, Scuola del Cuoio, team florens