The Busatti family has been weaving in the cellars of the Palazzo Morgalanti in Anghiari, Tuscany, since 1842.
The first wool carding machines were dated from the late 1700s to early 1800s when the Napoleonic troops decided to produce uniforms for the Grand Army after the French invasion. To dye them blue they started cultivating guado, a plant in the brasicca family, known since Piero della Francesca, who used it to paint his frescoes.
The machines were originally steam powered. They were electrified in the 1930s by Livio Busatti when the company took its current look and structure.
Busatti produce exquisite textiles in linen and cotton which they turn into tablecloths, curtains, bath towels and more stunning things for your home.
I set off to find Busatti headquarters in Anghiari on a cold, blustery autumn day. Doors and windows were firmly shut against the bitter wind. Like many Tuscan towns Anghiari sits proudly on top of a hill.
I parked just outside the town centre and walked up the hill and through the impressive portal half way up the steep slope.
Just inside I came upon “the straight street”. Corso Giacomo Matteotti was commissioned by Pier Saccone Tarlati in 1321. It is a 7 kilometre road that connects Anghiari to Sansepolcro and has always been a communication and trade route for the valley.
On 29th of June 1440 it witnessed the battle of Anghiari and from the following year onwards the competition called Palio della Vittoria ( to celebrate the victory of Florence) has been held along the Croce. Today the Palio is still run on foot from the Maesta di Santa Maria alla Vittoria to Piazza Baldaccio Bruni.
I found the Busatti showroom nearby and went in to admire their treasures.
I have collected several pieces over the years and I love them. I did add to my collection. It is possible to do a tour of the weaving facility…another day.
It was much too cold and windy to discover the delights of Anghiari but I will return on a better day. The town looked charming despite the bleak day.
I returned to Sansepolcro where I had chosen to stay the night. It too was shuttered against the wind but there is much to see in this lovely town. A return visit is required.
I passed a school and museum dedicated to lacemaking and embroidery. I would love to have gone in, but it was closed.
Nearby was the home of Piero della Francesca, the early Renaissance painter. (1415-1492) He is famous for his magnificent frescoes. His History of the True Cross is in Arezzo at the church of San Francesco. His house was closed, but I could peer in through the glass door.
I found an open door and went into the Oratory of the Holy Sepulchre. The date above the door was 1596.
The lovely frescoes inside were painted by the 3 sons of Alberto Alberti.
To my delight I found another Busatti shop! Of course I went in and found lots of different items. Their range is huge.
It is possible to find small selections of Busatti in shops all over Italy, but it is great to find these dedicated shops that show a broad range.
Busatti is a member of Italian Historical Business, an association born in Florence that gathers business with exceptional tradition and history.
The Busatti shop and showroom in Anghiari is at 14 Via Mazzini.
(39) 0575 788424 Email…busattishop@busatti.com
The Sansepolcro shop is at 48a Via Piero della Francesca.
(39) 0575 741539. Email…busattiborgo@gmail.com
There is also a shop in Arezzo at 48 Via Corso.
(39) 0575 355295 Email…busattishop@busatti.com