From the heart of our story to every hand-stitched sole, Piedàterre is the name that defines Venice. We are the original artisan specialists of venetian slippers: the custodians of the authentic Friulane that transformed a regional tradition into a global style icon. Into every creation we pour decades of Italian ingenuity and the nobility of our artisanal velvet, preserving an identity that transcends passing trends. For those who seek the original, the compass has always pointed in one direction: the Piedàterre workshop on the Rialto Bridge.
Since the 19th Century
PIEDATERRE VENEZIA dal 1952
Piedaterre Venezia’s history begins in post World War II, after so many Italian
factories were bombed. There was a shortage of many needs, including shoes. This
is where necessity breeds ingenuity, by combining the rubber bicycle tires for the
soles of the slippers and using velvet for the upper part - the VENETIAN SLIPPER
WAS BORN. These were first created in the region of Friuli, a small populated region
near Venice. They were then brought to be sold and commercialized in Venice where
there was always a thriving tourist business with buyers for the slippers. Over a
period of time, they became known worldwide as Venetian Slippers.
Piedaterre Venezia started in 1952 with the slippers being sold out of baskets, a few years later out of a cart on the Rialto bridge, eventually giving rise to the first Piedàterre
boutique - a historic landmark dedicated exclusively to the authentic Venetian slipper, which still thrives today, selling Venetian Slippers to clients in the shop and shipping
to all points of the globe daily.
What began as a humble creation quickly evolved into a symbol of democratic
elegance, gracing both noble palazzos and international salons.
Today, Piedàterre remains a steadfast guardian of this heritage. The brand
deliberately chooses preservation over reinvention, maintaining a production process
that is entirely manual and rigorously Made in Italy, with no outsourced materials.
Each pair is crafted using natural cotton velvet and hand-stitched without the use of
glue, ensuring unparalleled comfort, breathability, and sustainability.
A Cart on the Rialto Bridge
It all began with the vision of a businessman and dreamer. In 1952, his cart laden with handmade Friulane took its place on the legendary Rialto Bridge, quickly captivating a cosmopolitan Venice and its stream of international visitors.
Versatile, chic and perfectly suited for navigating the calli thanks to their non-slip nature, these venetian slippers became an instant object of desire. That cart remained faithfully at its post for 40 years, sustained by the enthusiasm of enchanted customers, before the doors of the Piedàterre Rialto shop officially opened, becoming the first dedicated outpost in Venice devoted exclusively to the historic venetian shoe.
Since then, we are the only ones who can claim an unbroken lineage connecting 19th-century ingenuity to the present day. We have chosen never to change: we use natural fabrics and the same meticulous handcraft as always, because we know that excellence need not be reinvented — only protected.
Not the Gondoliers’ Shoes
It is often said that Friulane were created for gondoliers. The truth is even more fascinating: they arose as an expression of post-war ingenuity in the households of Friuli.
Their comfort and elegance won admirers across every social stratum, from nobles in patrician palaces to international drawing rooms, becoming the democratic symbol of style and of an Italy that knows how to elevate necessity into art. Choosing Piedàterre means rejecting tourist imitations in favour of a piece of genuine history — crafted with distinction and a style that defies the passage of time.
A Heritage That Lives in the Present
Remaining faithful to the tradition inaugurated in 1952 means, for us, honouring a method that refuses the pace of the modern world. Every creation is made entirely in Italy, preserving the manual production process that defines the grandeur and quality of our history. We have never resorted to outsourcing, because the soul of an authentic venetian slipper resides in the direct care of its maker.
Every pair of original Friulane by Piedàterre is born from a supply chain unchanged for decades: we use the same natural cotton velvet and the same mastery in hand-stitching that distinguished the very first creations. From the choice of fabric to the crafting of artisanal soles, every detail is a fragment of the heritage we guard with the same devotion as on our first day on the Rialto Bridge. To choose Piedàterre today is to wear over 70 years of Venetian pride, handed down intact for those who still recognise the value of excellence.
Explore our women’s and men’s collections to discover the original Friulane that embody over 70 years of Venetian tradition.
