Lutherie: the invisible art that gives voice to wood

Since the 17th century, Neapolitan lutherie has stood out for the quality of its craftsmanship, becoming one of the most respected schools in Europe — alongside those of Cremona, Venice, and Paris.
In the 18th century, with the rise of the Neapolitan School and the city’s many musical theatres, demand for instruments grew — for concerts, conservatories, and orchestras.
Specialised workshops emerged, producing violins, mandolins, guitars, violas da gamba, and perfecting a technique that blends constructional precision with acoustic sensitivity.
Naples, in particular, became the birthplace of the modern mandolin, with high-quality production that gained recognition even beyond Italy.

The work of a luthier is meticulous:
• wood is carefully selected (spruce, maple, rosewood)
• the sound box is built with precise joints
• every curve, thickness, and angle is refined
• the sound is heard — even before it's played
Every instrument is handmade, custom, one of a kind.
A luthier doesn’t just build: they tune, restore, refine.
Over time, they become a point of reference for musicians, students, and collectors.

Today, Neapolitan lutherie is not a tradition confined to the past.
Active workshops in the historic centre, Chiaia, and the Spanish Quarters continue to craft instruments of the highest quality.
The San Pietro a Majella Conservatory plays a key role in training new artisans, and the city hosts festivals and gatherings dedicated to acoustic music and classical instruments.
Neapolitan lutherie lives in balance between craft and art, function and beauty.
Each instrument is made to last, but also to vibrate with the story of whoever plays it.

In Naples, music isn’t born only in theatres or conservatories.
It’s also born in the workshops, among wood shavings and the scent of timber — where silence becomes sound.