Opificio delle pietre dure

The Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Laboratori di Restauro, literally meaning Workshop of Semi-precious Stones and Laboratories of Restoration, is a public institute of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage based in Florence. It is a global leader in the field of art restoration and provides teaching as one of two Italian state conservation schools (the other being the Istituto superiore per la conservazione ed il restauro). The institute maintains also a specialist library and archive of conservation and a museum displaying historic examples of Pietre Dure inlaid semi-precious stones artefacts. A scientific laboratory conducts research and diagnostics and provides a preventive conservation service.

The museum was founded in 1588 by the Grand Duke Ferdinando I, who established a workshop to produce the rare or precious stones for the decoration of the Chapel of Princes. In 1796, Pietro Leopoldo had the Opificio transferred to its present headquarters in Via degli Alfani.

The Opificio, whose workshops are now situated in Fortezza da Basso, still continues its tradition of executing and restoring mosaics made from pietra dura, Florentine commesso, sections and tesserae.