The Matthew at JCU In Photos

A Much-Needed Spotlight On Rome’s Local Makers

Rome: Beautiful display at the front of the local hat shop showing the creators and pieces handmade hats. March 12, 2025.

In Photos

By Grayson Chuck | Photoreporter

In a city like Rome, it’s easy to get swept up in the sea of mass-produced souvenirs. There are many imported souvenirs every year that capture the eyes of tourists. Time after time, people are spending their money on non-roman-made goods. Many of these items aren’t made in Italy at all, overshadowing authentic, handmade Roman products and taking the spotlight away from local artisans.

Rome’s souvenir market, especially in popular tourist areas like the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s Basilica offer mass-produced items, that are often imported and not of Italian origin. Within the city of Rome, there are several artisan shops where visitors can find authentic, high-quality, handmade Roman products. These shops showcase the skill and passion of local artists, offering one-of-a-kind items that truly reflect the heart of Rome. Supporting these businesses preserves Roman culture and gives back to the community.

According to ResearchGate, studies have shown that in the past few years there has been an increase seen in many souvenir shops in cities like Rome that stock goods imported from places like China, they are purchased in bulk from international expos. These large amounts of imported items are often sold as local keepsakes, despite lacking the Italian origin.

Five main local handmade shops give a piece of Rome’s artistic soul. Gran Café Marcel located in Via del Canestraro 9, it’s a charming local shop filled with all types of souvenirs with artwork-hand painted on them by the owner, Marcel Gorgone.

“It is great to see people come to Rome and come to my local business to get their souvenirs; they are taking home a true piece of Rome,” said Gorgone. “I paint everything myself in my shop, everything is handmade delicately to be a long-lasting souvenir to take home.”

La Bottega del Marmoraro on Via Margutta 53, it’s a local shop specializes in handcrafted marble signs by the artist Sandro Fiorentini. Eredi Baiocco located in Via Luce 3, offers beautiful clay home décor pieces made by local roman artists right in the back of the shop. Mama Bijoux in Via Del Seminario 88, it’s a boutique filled with handmade jewelry crafted by Italian artisans. All the jewelry pieces are made by different local artists and sold in different stands in the shop. Lastly, Antica Manifattura Cappelli in Via Degli Scipioni 46, is a local hat shop that is filled with all handmade headwear.

Choosing to support these local Rome businesses versus the over mass-produced imports is a meaningful way to connect with the Roman city and support local places.

Rome: A woman looks at a handmade painting by Marcel Gorgone in the “Gran Cafè Marcel.” March 9, 2025.
Rome: Tote bags and hand-made canvases hang on the wall of “Gran Cafe Marcel,” a local store featuring Italian local brands only and all handmade products. February 24, 2025.
Rome: A customer browses through a collection of hand-painted coasters at “Gran Cafe Marcel.” The store is filled with a wide variety of Roman paintings to choose from. on March 9, 2025.
Rome: Tucked away on the charming Via Margutta, “La Bottega del Marmoraro” is a hidden gem in Rome, where history and craftsmanship meet. The shop was filled with hand-engraved marble plaques bearing Latin phrases and Roman proverbs, preserving an ancient art form in the heart of the city. On March 14, 2025.
Rome: Sandro Fiorentini, holds a newspaper inside “La Bottega Del Marmoraro.” Fiorentini spends time in the shop during the weekdays and makes several new marble signs for display or custom-makes them on people’s requests. March 14, 2025.
Rome: The local sculptor stands behind a working table at “Eredi Baiocco” a local store selling handmade clay art pieces. February 27, 2025.
Rome: Handmade clay bust stands on a pedestal at the entrance of the local shop “Eredi Baiocco.” February 27, 2025.
Rome: Local handmade jewelry stands on display in the middle of “Mama Bijoux.” March 24, 2025.
Rome: All handmade hats in the display shelves at the local shop “Antica Manifattura Cappelli” located. March 12, 2025.
Rome: Beautiful display at the front of the local hat shop showing the creators and pieces handmade hats. March 12, 2025.
Rome: A wide selection of all handmade hats at “Antica Manifattura Cappelli.” March 12, 2025.