Experiences

Damascene artisans

This art was known for centuries in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Arabia and Japan. In the 15th century it became popular in Europe, and Toledo became the capital of damascene industry until today. Damascening is the art of inlaying different metals, typically gold or silver, into a darkly oxidized steel background to produce intricate patterns. There is no craft or gift shop in Toledo without beautiful damascene samples. In some of them you can even watch how artisans work.

Info & location

City/Province Toledo

Type of experience:

Culture and arts
Shopping

Where

The historic center of Toledo is full of shops with handcrafted objects made with the Damascene technique.

Varied products

Plates and ornamental vases, decorative objects, earrings, bracelets, neck laces, jewelers... You will find many and varied objects made with this technique.

Fake damascene

Specially on the Internet, you will see many products with the appearance of genuine Damascene, they are often black and gold, but the gold is not usually genuine 18k or 24K, or even gold at all, and much of it is mass machine produced. Genuine damascene art is always hand made. Wary of suspiciously low prices.

Other users also like

Landmarks

Discovering windmills

Hotel

Parador de Toledo

Visits

Bab al-Mardum Mosque

Visits

Tagus River & bridges