School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican
The School of Arts and Crafts, established by the Fabric of Saint Peter and the Fratelli tutti Foundation, offers full-time, tuition-free training in heritage crafts to young people. It revives centuries-old traditions while fostering community, spiritual growth, and hands-on learning in the heart of the Vatican.
Established in 2023 by the Fabric of Saint Peter (“La Fabbrica di San Pietro”) in collaboration with the Fratelli tutti Foundation, the School of Arts and Crafts marks a revival of holistic, intergenerational training at the heart of the Vatican. Building on the legacy of the 18th-century Studio Pontificio, the school unites centuries-old crafts with contemporary educational practice.
Located within Vatican City, the school welcomes 20 young people (aged 18 to 25) in each cohort, including international participants. It is supported by a network of skilled instructors and the renowned “sanpietrini” – the master artisans who maintain Saint Peter’s Basilica. The ongoing programme offers full-time, tuition-free training in stonemasonry, decorative plasterwork, carpentry, and mosaic-work. Courses run for six months, and all students receive accommodation and meals, living communally in Vatican apartments for the duration of their studies.
The training programme is rooted in the conviction that heritage skills must develop the spirit in addition to the hand. It blends hands-on, experiential learning with studies in art history, architecture, and theology. Of the 600 hours per course, over two-thirds are spent working in the Fabric’s workshops, in close contact with the “sanpietrini”. This intergenerational exchange is central: experienced artisans model both technical skills and the values of humility, service, and fraternity, fostering an environment where tradition is transmitted “from hand to hand” and from one generation to the next.
A distinctive aspect of the School of Arts and Crafts is its “educating community”: students live and learn together in communal accommodation, while learning directly from teachers, artisans and staff during workshops and classes. Communal living encourages peer learning, dialogue, and mutual support, in a favourable environment for all students, also those with learning difficulties, including mentorship and tailored evaluation methods. Reflection and group discussions are built into the programme, nurturing personal and spiritual growth in addition to instilling core technical proficiency.
Talented graduates who best meet the criteria of the Fabric of Saint Peter’s projects will have the opportunity to be selected if required. Alumni are also encouraged to remain connected to the school community. Although firmly rooted in the Vatican, the school’s model is already attracting interest from other heritage sites in Europe, demonstrating its potential for transferability and wider impact.
“The School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter safeguards European cultural heritage through its holistic programme, combining craft training with academic and spiritual development in an environment open to diverse students at no charge,” the Awards’ Jury stated. “The creation of lasting bonds among participants and the potential for progression to employment or further education are notable strengths,” the Jury commented.
Contact: Gloria Amaduzzi | School of Arts and Crafts of the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican | scuola.artiemestieri@fsp.va | www.fondazionefratellitutti.org/en/school-of-arts-and-trades