As the holiday season approaches and the semester draws to a close, you have probably been wondering what kinds of gifts to bring home for friends and family. But before you pick up fourteen different “Italia” sweatshirts, you may want to consider purchasing some truly Florentine specialties. Italy is known for its leather. There are many leather shops all over
Florence who hand-produce all of their goods. These tend to be pricy, so be sure to do your homework and shop around for the best bargains. Many stores offer discounts to students. There are two main places to
shop for leather in Florence-
San Lorenzo and Borgo dei Greci which is located near Piazza Signori. In certain leather
shops on Borgo dei Greci, you can see how the leather is made. These shops also have stalls in outdoor markets. In these venues, it’s easier to bargain for the best prices. During the
Renaissance, the
Medici family invested a great deal of their fortune in book making. To this day, Florentine books remain some of the most beautiful in the world. Leather-bound journals, hand-crafted scrapbooks, and ornate photo albums are easy finds. The
markets, once more, are a great place to look. These are oneof- a-kind gifts that are great for the writer, scrap-booker, or artist in your life. Some of them can be expensive, but you’ll find that for their quality, the prices are reasonable. Florentine
paper is another specialty of the city. It is beautifully painted by and can be found as the cover to a journal or as stationary. There are three types of Florentine paper. The first and most beautiful is known as Carta Pavone or peacock paper. It is meant to mimic the feathers of a peacock. There is also Carta Fiorentina, which is one solid color and is stamped with the Florentine coat of arms. The last is the Carta Marmorizzata or marble paper. This paper tends to be found on journals and handmade books. Ceramic gifts such as plates and vases can also be found in the marketplace. These are hand-painted and very expensive. You pay for the quality that goes into the craftsmanship. If you’re willing to spend the money, they’re great collectibles. The
San Lorenzo market is a terrific place to shop for these specialty items. Most of the salespeople are friendly and speak English quite well. Ask questions so that you know you are purchasing the real deal, bargain for good prices, and shop around. It is also useful to search in the stores that are hidden by the market stalls. Explore the city and you’ll be surprised at what you can find. Happy shopping!
[Heather Staats]
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