Venezia
Wonders Venezia.
The living legacy of the lagoon city in action
The Londra Palace has been a part of the city's landscape
the city's landscape since 1853.
We feel a deep attachment to this Lagoon City and love for all the old trades and treasures of times gone by. As tailors of hospitality, sharing the magic of Italy’s makers brings so much meaning to our work.
Below, we are proud to introduce five incredible artisans representing five of the city’s traditional crafts, innovated for modern-day times.
The Place of Wonders Foundation commissioned each artisan to design a special, limited edition, travel-inspired piece, part of the Mano a Mano collection in collaboration with Venezia da Vivere, for the Londra Palace. Now you too can hold a piece of Venice’s story in your hands forever while supporting the preservation of Italian craft for future generations.
Marbled Paper
In the Arzanart workshop, ancient techniques and new trends intertwine to create designs inspired by tradition.
In a hidden alley, far from the tourist crowds, Federico and Isabella passionately preserve an art that arrived in Venice from Turkey in the 1600s, reinterpreting it for a modern audience. Determined to safeguard this ancient craft, they regularly host workshops open to anyone eager to discover the secrets of marbled paper.
Isabella, an expert in restoring antique books thanks to her studies in Florence, meticulously develops every product in the workshop. Federico, on the other hand, is a master craftsman who creates the unmistakable veins and color gradients that make this paper unique.
Burano lace
Lace is an integral part of Burano's history, an art that Martina Vidal and her family have been faithfully preserving since 1900.
Martina and Sergio Vidal carry on Burano and Venice’s sartorial tradition, specializing in the creation of luxury linens and high-end clothing. Martina Vidal, a fourth-generation lacemaker, has revitalized the family business by combining traditional savoir-faire with a modern and innovative vision.
Burano, the picturesque island off the Venetian coast, owes much of its history and identity to fishing and its renowned lace-making tradition. The unique patterns of Burano lace, passed down from mother to daughter for centuries, represent a precious heritage kept alive thanks to the dedication of skilled artisans.
Today, few lacemakers still master this ancient craft, often working in their homes. However, at the Martina Vidal Atelier, visitors can admire them as they patiently and skillfully create exquisite lace, using the same techniques practiced by their ancestors since the 1600s.
Tailoring
Giuliana Longo is Venice's most renowned milliner, a guardian of a family tradition rooted in 1901.
Winner of numerous awards, Giuliana is officially recognized as a figure of historical significance for the city. Her shop, much like its owner, exudes a lively and welcoming personality. In a relaxed atmosphere accompanied by excellent music, every visitor is invited to find their perfect hat while sharing stories and reflections about daily life and the myriad themes that permeate the city of Venice.
The atelier, located between Rialto and St. Mark’s, proudly bears the emblem of Locale Storico d’Italia (Historic Shop of Italy): a true workshop-boutique where Giuliana continues her family’s craft, safeguarding this precious knowledge.
Each hat is handmade and custom-crafted: from straw, fabric, or felt, for both men and women, alongside innovative designs such as colorful tricorns and the traditional gondolier’s hat.
Wood
Lunardelli Venezia products blend the tradition of woodcraft with Italian design, combining noble materials and reinterpreting the island’s ancient art with a modern approach.
Lunardelli Venezia was born from the expertise of Lunardelli est. 1967, a historic Venetian company specializing in custom woodworking for construction and interior design projects. Founded by Angelo Lunardelli, who gained extensive experience working on prestigious historic palaces, the company has always embodied a strong dedication to craftsmanship and the ability to embrace new challenges.
Today, the business combines decades of know-how with an innovative vision, creating objects that reflect the excellence of Italian craftsmanship with a contemporary touch. With a concrete commitment to sustainability, Lunardelli Venezia prioritizes the reuse of wood, ensuring every piece is unique while respecting the environment at every stage of production.
Lunardelli Venezia represents the perfect union of talent, experience, and passion for Made in Italy, crafting high-quality furniture accessories with meticulous attention to detail. A luxury that brings the elegance and charm of Venice into homes
Sculpture
One of the most important artisanal crafts for the life of Venice since its origins has been that of the remèr: the makers of oars, who have always been essential in a city built on water.
Saverio Pastor, a custodian of this tradition, began his craft in 1980 and, in 2002, opened the workshop LE FORCOLE near the Church of Madonna della Salute. While attentive to the aesthetic qualities of forcole, he experiments with new materials while remaining faithful to traditional techniques and tools. Aware of the need to preserve an ancient skill, he is often invited to international cultural events to showcase his work and share the creative process behind it.
Today, only five remèri across four workshops continue this tradition, adapting it to modern needs without losing sight of the craft's authenticity. The principle of uniqueness is fundamental: they do not work in series; each piece is custom-designed for the client.
Saverio Pastor masterfully wields tools of the past, now used by only a few, and firmly believes that craftsmanship is essential to ensuring quality, customization, and respect for the unique characteristics of wood.