There is something magical in seeing a hat crafted from a ball of wool, or a violin from a piece of wood, or a walking stick from a simple branch of hazel.
Then there are lamps made from alpine pine, a wonderfully fragrant wood that grandmothers in these valleys once used to build cradles for newborns, unique pieces, each unrepeatable and different from the next.
All of these are created by the artisans of San Lorenzo Dorsino, where the tradition of making things by hand is still alive and flourishing. Know-how passed down from generation to generation, built on slow, careful crafts and precisely chosen materials such as wood, wool, clay, felt, iron, and stone. Simple materials that are expertly turned into remarkable objects, each with its own unique story to tell.
Some artisans have small workshops, where their products come to life through their patience and dedication. Buying one of their creations is a chance to take home a tangible memory of our land; an object that speaks of authenticity, craftmanship, and tradition, and one which supports the local economy, helping our alpine hamlets to thrive.
But it is during the festivals that the quality and beauty of our artisans' labours really shine, as the streets are filled with stalls displaying their creations.