The 2021 Atelier Aperti guide for the San Marco district
The area around St. Mark’s Square is Venice’s history book. The Royal Gardens are the garden of the Venetians, a place to recharge, listen to the silence, and admire the botanical restoration designed by landscape architect Paolo Pejrone.
Until January 12, 2022, at the Royal Gardens Greenhouse, it is possible to visit the exhibition presenting the restoration project of the Procuratie Vecchie in St. Mark’s Square and their future: they will open to the public in spring 2022 and will become the home of The Human Safety Net, the global foundation of Generali committed to developing people’s potential.
The exhibition, which is free and open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, also features a large wooden model; we recommend walking through it to experience the restoration, new functions, and new spaces firsthand, and to imagine the future of the heart of Venice. Photo by Marta Formentello.
- Salvadori Diamond Atelier
Jewelry. St. Mark’s Square, 66
Venetian goldsmiths were masters of diamond cutting, and in St. Mark’s Square, a Venetian family is carrying this art into the future: a member of the world’s most important Diamond Exchanges, Antwerp and Tel Aviv, Gabriele Pendini has turned the Salvadori brand, present in Venice since 1857, into a diamond and high jewelry atelier that combines craftsmanship with cutting-edge techniques: Salvadori Diamond Atelier. The photo is by Igor Serdyukov, and the model is wearing Peserico clothing.
Meet the creatives at work
The talented hands of Venetian artisans tell us how to find oneself through the creation of jewelry using the ancient art of lost-wax casting, revealing the world of men’s and women’s tailoring, handmade knitwear, and hats created with ancient techniques: book your appointment at the atelier by writing to or calling the artisans directly.
- Valeria Boncompagni
Lost-wax jewelry. St. Mark’s Square 130
Lost-wax casting is a millenary technique used by artisan artist Valeria Boncompagni to create her jewelry: works of art in precious metal with inlays of semi-precious stones, coral, gold, silver, and bronze, resulting in wearable sculptures that convey emotions. Valeria teaches the technique in her workshop in St. Mark’s Square, showing how to create jewelry that stops time.
Book your visit by calling 041 3097767 or 338 9232103, or via email at info@boncompagnivaleria.com. To discover more about Valeria’s latest creations, follow her Instagram account.
- Franco Puppato
Men’s Tailor. Calle dei Fabbri 4723, San Marco
Since 1964, the Puppato atelier has been creating men’s clothing. The undisputed master of the handmade men’s suit, Franco Puppato is a Venetian tailor and creative who welcomes you to his atelier filled with patterns, fabrics, and precious textiles. In 2019, he was awarded the Arbiter Prize, which celebrates the talent of Italian tailors.
Book an appointment at the atelier at 041 5221814 or mobile 333.9910648, via email at info@francopuppato.it or on Facebook.
- Giuliana Longo
Hats and Millinery. Calle del Lovo, San Marco 4813
Giuliana Longo is the quintessential Venetian artisan. She models, makes, and brings new life to hats. Her small atelier has been an extraordinary treasure chest of wonders since 1902, when the Longo family opened the millinery shop. Here, the ancient mariegola of the bareteri (hat makers) lives on, and you can find the original gondolier’s headgear: made of woven straw with the double satin trim that gondoliers match to the parecio (the gondola’s decoration), or in black cloth with a bow.
You can contact the atelier via email at giul.longo@tiscali.it, by calling 041 5226454, or via direct message on their Instagram account.
- Lellabella
Yarn shop and handmade knitwear, Calle della Mandola 3718, San Marco
Lella and Monica, the owners of the boutique, are mother and daughter. This is a knitting paradise: in addition to precious and colorful wool and cotton yarns, at Lellabella you can find a wide variety of customizable patterns that enthusiasts can create independently. While Lella and Monica can help with choosing the most suitable yarn and stitches, their Instagram account is full of creative ideas and advice for new fashion proposals. Schedule an appointment at the boutique by calling 041 522 5152 or writing an email to info@lellabellavenezia.com.
- Ca’ Beltà
Bespoke fashion atelier, Calle dei Monti, San Marco 4700
Lidia and Olena have created a women’s fashion tailoring atelier in San Marco. The two creatives share their story, which began as children when they enjoyed sewing and creating women’s clothes. To meet them and chat about fashion and tailoring, we suggest booking an appointment at: 041 7123562 or writing an email to cabeltavenezia@gmail.com. You can also find them on Instagram.
- Piedàterre
The new boutique for Venetian friulane, Campo Santo Stefano 2806, San Marco
Friulian slippers, also known as furlane, originated in the 19th century in the Friuli countryside as shoes for holidays or weddings. It is a model once made from waste and recycled materials, which has the peculiarity of always being different in color, fabric, or embroidery. This characteristic is highly appreciated even today for its potential for customization. Piedàterre, in its new store in Campo Santo Stefano, displays hundreds of Made in Italy creations, 100% pure Italian cotton, performing in both quality and durability.
For advice or a visit to the new shop, contact us by phone: 041 3195291, WhatsApp +39 3519052099, or email info@piedaterre-venice.com. Many proposals and inspirations can be found on the Instagram account.
- Porte Italia
Campo Santo Stefano 2950, San Marco
Handcrafted doors, wall decorations, and home accessories inspired by Venice, its colors, finishes, and architecture. The Lenarduzzi family and American designer Ann Graham say: “Venice is our home. This city represents an extraordinary source of daily inspiration for us.”
To schedule an appointment, call 0481 476096 or write an email to info@porteitalia.com. They are also present on Instagram.
- Atelier Bubacco Bros
Lampworked glass, Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, San Marco 2514
A small house covered in flowers is the workshop of the two young artists Alessandro and Sebastiano Bubacco. Their passion for glass is rooted in 1933, when their grandfather began the craft of glassmaking at the age of 9. The designers specialize in lampworking, a technique they use to create lamps and jewelry.
Discover the Murano glass creations by contacting the young glassmakers at 320 9351255, bubacco.bros@outlook.com, or on Instagram.
- Micromega
Handcrafted designer eyewear. Calle delle Ostreghe 2436, San Marco
A simple hand-worked titanium wire shapes a structure of legendary lightness and gives form to an impalpable frame, or to unique and recognizable creations capable of making a face unforgettable: these are Micromega glasses, created by Roberto Carlon, a second-generation artisan who carries on the tradition with great passion alongside his children.
Discover the boutique near St. Mark’s Square and announce your visit at 041 2960765 or via email at info@micromega.it. Images of these fantastic creations can be found on their Instagram account.
The Cafés of St. Mark’s Square
- Caffé Al Todaro
Piazza San Marco 3
Caffè Al Todaro has recently reopened in Piazzetta San Marco, expanding its spaces to offer an even more evocative experience. A charming corner since 1948 overlooking the St. Mark’s Basin and the Doge’s Palace, where you can enjoy excellent coffee, chocolate, spritz, and cocktails.
To book your table, call 041 5285165 or write an email to info@al-todaro.it; to continue admiring the enchanting square from a unique perspective, follow the Instagram account of the Al Todaro café and gelateria.
- Gran Caffè Lavena
Piazza San Marco 133/134
Since 1750, Caffè Lavena has been a meeting place for international intellectuals and artists. Venetians love to have a coffee at the counter with the gondoliers and meet friends during spritz hour, while the orchestra plays Morricone, Piazzolla, Puccini, and Strauss. To book your table in St. Mark’s Square as Wagner, D’Annunzio, and Hemingway once did, call 041 5224070, and to discover more, follow the Facebook Page.
- Gran Caffè Quadri
Piazza San Marco 121
It is the only restaurant in St. Mark’s Square. It combines Venetian gastronomic and cultural traditions with a touch of cosmopolitan resourcefulness. The kitchen, led by chef Denis Mattiuzzi, offers: a continental breakfast, lunch based on cicchetti, sandwiches, and pastries, through to aperitifs and after-dinner drinks. All preparations are made to order in the Alajmo style, the multi-Michelin-starred family that reopened this important piece of Venice in 2018 following a restoration entrusted to designer Philippe Starck in collaboration with many Venetian artisans.
Book at Quadri by calling 049 630303, via email at booking@alajmo.it, or with a direct message on Instagram.
- Caffè Florian
Piazza San Marco 57
Located under the porticos of the Procuratie Nuove in St. Mark’s Square, Caffè Florian is the oldest café in the world. Last year it celebrated its 300th anniversary and is a true institution for Venice and its residents. A destination for artists and intellectuals, it has been the set for timeless films such as Summertime with Katharine Hepburn, and The Talented Mr. Ripley with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Matt Damon.
For reservations, contact servizi@caffeflorian.com or call 041 5205641. To follow Florian on social media, the Instagram account is @caffeflorian1720.
The ecosystem of creativity
Atelier Aperti is an initiative to promote Venetian craftsmanship. It is a project by Venezia da Vivere, like Venice Fashion Week, the event that promotes Venice as a center of production and creativity, presenting fashion in Venice through runway shows and events.
The next edition of Atelier Aperti is from April 12 to 30, 2022, as part of the Homo Faber program.
Would you like to be part of Atelier Aperti? Contact us via email at hello@veneziadavivere.com.
The cover photo is by Igor Serdyukov. Photos are by Marta Formentello, Settimo Cannatella, and Lucia Pecoraro for Venezia da Vivere.
