Step into an authentic artisan workshop in Verona and discover the art of glass bead making, a craft recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2020.
This is not a hands-on workshop, but an immersive experience designed to bring you closer to a centuries-old craft that still lives today through fire, glass and the skilled hands of an artisan.
In a small group of no more than eight participants, you’ll watch a master craftswoman at work and discover the tools, techniques and traditions behind every unique glass creation.
At the heart of the experience is a live demonstration. Before your eyes, a simple glass rod is transformed into a delicate bead. Molten glass is carefully shaped around steel mandrels through precise, practiced movements refined over generations.
The Master Artisan draws intricate patterns using ultra-thin strands of molten glass, layering colours and transparencies to create remarkable depth and detail in every bead.
Cooling is just as important as shaping. Each bead must rest slowly in a controlled environment to prevent thermal shock before being cleaned and finished, ready to become a unique piece of jewellery.
More than a demonstration, this experience invites you to slow down and appreciate the value of craftsmanship, patience and precision. It offers a rare opportunity to understand the knowledge and dedication hidden behind every handmade object.
After the demonstration, you’ll have time to browse the workshop shop, where the finished creations are displayed. Seeing the completed pieces after witnessing their creation gives each one an entirely new meaning.
Ideal for curious travellers, design lovers and anyone looking for an authentic encounter with local culture, this experience offers an intimate glimpse into the art of glass in the heart of Verona.
Your experience begins with a warm welcome from the Experiential Curator, who introduces you to an authentic workshop where glass continues to tell stories.
Here, the Master Artisan shares her personal journey—a passion born in childhood, nurtured through curiosity, wonder and the desire to transform raw material into beauty.
In front of the flame, a simple glass rod begins its transformation.
Within moments, the glass softens, glows and gradually becomes a bead through elegant, confident movements perfected over years of experience.
This is the moment when the workshop comes alive and an ancient tradition becomes a captivating live performance.
Once the basic shape has been created, the finest details begin.
Delicate strands of glass, vibrant colours and intricate decorations give every bead its own unique character.
During this stage, the Master Artisan will create a small bead of your choic, a flower, a little animal or another simple design selected by you.
After the necessary cooling process, you can return to collect your handmade bead and take home a truly personal reminder of your experience.
The experience concludes among the artisan’s finished works: beads, jewellery and decorative pieces that tell the story of everything you have just witnessed.
After seeing the creative process unfold before your eyes, every detail takes on a deeper meaning, and each piece becomes a celebration of time, craftsmanship and passion.
This is a guided visit featuring a live artisan demonstration. You will observe the Master Artisan at work but will not make glass beads yourself.
The experience is also available in English, German and Spanish through live interpretation during the demonstration, which is conducted in Italian.
A minimum of two participants is required for the experience to take place. If the minimum number is not reached, you may choose between an alternative departure time, a private experience or a full refund.
The experience is suitable for all ages, especially for travellers interested in craftsmanship, design and cultural traditions.
The finished glass beads and artisan creations are available for purchase in the workshop shop next door.
