Creativity at the 2025 International Crafts Fair

Until May 1:  INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS FAIR.  Fortezza da Basso. Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. Admission: three-day pass for €14, single day entrance €8, children under 12 free with accompanying adult.  Adjacent parking.

Just as the tulips and wisteria bloom and spring jumps into full force, the Fortezza da Basso, commissioned by Duke Alessandro de’Medici in the 16th century, hosts the annual International Crafts Fair. Celebrating its 89th edition, this year more than 500 exhibitors converge to demonstrate their craft in addition to displaying and selling their creations from April 25 through May 1.

Not only Italian craftspeople, but artisans from India, China, France, Egypt, Spain, Morocco, Pakistan, Singapore and Vietnam will be in attendance.

Visitors enter the 16th century fortress through an enormous stone archway, passes across the piazza and enters the huge exhibition hall. Visitors will be immediately struck with the sounds, scents and aromas from all over the globe. The bang, bang of a jeweler’s hammer flattening a piece of metal into an oval shape, the pungent scent of incense from the east wafts through the air and the aromas of spiced tea and freshly baked bread entice one to stop and taste.

The great hall and adjoining buildings contain jewelry, clothing, furniture, objets d’art, beauty and wellness products, food and wine. After wandering through the hall where artisans can be seen employing their art and techniques, visit the culinary section where sellers offer samples of cheeses, breads, cannoli and other regional specialties.

The fair offers numerous workshops demonstrating the artisans’ techniques and skills. Visitors who want to learn skills or those who are merely interested in how things are made are welcome. The workshops are free to attend, but require prior reservations

May 1, 5 pm:  Trippa (Tripe): The Queen of Street Food. The famous Trippaio Pollini cart on Via de’ Macci often attracts passersby with the delicious aroma and long lines at lunchtime stopping to indulge on this Florentine specialty of cow’s stomach slow cooked in tomatoes and sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. To learn about Trippa alla Fiorentina, make a reservation for this event (Spadolini Pavilion Attic Floor, 5 pm, free).

A wine tasting event will be held every day at 6 pm at the Spadolini Pavilion Attic. The free event is hosted by food critic and sommelier Leonardo Romanelli.

Children are not overlooked at the fair and a space dedicated to activities and games at the attic of the Spadolini Pavilion includes creative activities, workshops, face painting, a teepee village, tattoos, a puppet theatre and play area. The area caters to 3 to 12-year-olds and stroller parking is available.

Guided tours of the iconic Fortezza da Basso, including the underground passages and secret areas, are available daily from April 29 through May 1. Tour hours are 3 to 4 pm, 4 to 5 pm and 5 to 6 pm and meet at the Monumentale-Sala Ottagonale. Reservations can be made via email at: info@museifirenze.it.

Flag throwing or sbandieratori demonstrations can been seen regularly throughout the fair in the main piazza. Originally accompanying military parades, the ancient art of synchronized throwing and catching of flags, accompanied by drummers features skillful young athletes dressed in medieval costumes. The performances will be joined by the Musicians of the Signoria of Florence.

Visitors to the Fortezza da Basso International Crafts Fair are sure to experience a feast for the senses with colorful fabrics from Indonesia and India, scents of exotic spices from Morocco, sounds of traditional music from Africa, the velvety feel of woven carpets from Iran and the flavors of delicacies from Sicily and Turkey.  (rita kungel)