There is no place in Italy that does not have its traditions, customs that often differ even within a few kilometres. This huge heritage that still lives on in festivals, celebrations, museums and craft shops.
Terracotta figurines, animations, backgrounds and large and small chests are used in cribs and nativity scenes from Naples to Genoa. Papier-mâché masks are made in Venice and Lecce, tin puppets are forged in Mascalucia in the province of Catania, while dolls are carved and hand-painted in Val Gardena.
In Italy’s geography of custom-made popular traditional objects, those that tourists often perceive as iconic, precious souvenirs to take home – these are still made following ancient craft procedures.
Handcrafted in evocative historical workshops, they are the incredible artefacts of those craftsmen who exploit the secrets passed down by their ancestors, unique works in great demand all over the world.