Handmade In Liguria: Discover Artisanal Traditions Of The Italian Riviera
The Italian Riviera is typically associated with Cinque Terre’s pastel-hued villages and Portofino’s chic waterfront. But between the terraced hills and the Ligurian Sea lies an artisanal heritage with centuries-old traditions still practiced today.
Here is a guide to the Italian Riviera’s most intriguing and typically overlooked artisanal legacies:
Zoagli: Velvet And Silk
In the charming coastal village of Zoagli, a lesser-known gem on the Tigullio Gulf, the art of weaving silk and velvet is very much in play today. Behind unassuming doorways, antique looms as large as entire rooms are used to craft silk and velvet, and have been since the 15th century.
The fabled “black velvet of Genoa”, once favoured by European nobility for its richness and depth, is one of the last remaining places in Italy where this tradition is continued and can be witnessed.
Albissola: Vibrant Ceramics
Along the coast in Albissola, artisans have been shaping clay into functional art since the 15th century. They produce hand-painted tableware, figurines, and decorative tiles using the local red clay and white sands.
The colors themselves - vivid blues, warm terracottas, and glossy whites - are crafted from pigments ground in local workshops. A visit here offers a chance to not only admire the ceramics but also try your hand at the potter’s wheel.
Campo Ligure: Filligree Jewelers
Inland, the quaint town of Campo Ligure has quietly guarded its reputation as Italy’s filigree capital since the late 19th century.
This intricate art of twisting and soldering fine threads of gold and silver into lace-like jewels demands patience and precision. Visiting a workshop here feels like stepping into a forgotten atelier. Visiting a workshop here feels like stepping into a forgotten atelier—particularly at Gierre Silver, where artisans continue to shape each piece by hand, preserving the legacy of traditional Ligurian filigree with remarkable dedication.
Chiavari: Chiavarina Chairs
In the seaside town of Chiavari, famed for its bustling markets and charm, one particular craft stands out: the lightweight, impossibly elegant “Chiavarina” chair.
Designed for both grace and function, its slim, contoured structure was engineered to support without excess weight - a masterpiece of understated Italian design.
Only a handful of artisans still create these chairs by hand today, making them highly prized additions to sophisticated homes and historic villas alike.
Genoa: Tombolo Lace
In Genoa’s quiet alleys, the last remaining merlettaia - a woman who weaves lace - continues manipulating bobbins across lace pillows, weaving thousands of threads into delicate, ethereal patterns.
Once a symbol of female creativity and a key element of a young woman’s dowry during Genoa’s maritime republic, this lace remains one of the region’s most cherished traditions.
Lorsica: Damask Weaving
High in Liguria’s hinterlands, Lorsica is a textile town famed for its shimmering damasks. Since the 16th century, families have woven silk and cotton fabrics for aristocratic households.
The labor-intensive process, entirely manual, produces sumptuous textiles in deep jewel tones, often finished on the same antique looms that clatter softly in dimly lit workshops today. At Tessitura DeMartini, one of the region’s few remaining artisan mills, these centuries-old techniques are still practiced with care. Furthermore, the town’s small damask museum offers a glimpse into the evolution of this regal art.
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