A Classical Education in
Florence & London
Our Workshops
Unique learning experiences that trace ideas from Antiquity through the Renaissance and into the present day, with a particular focus on the cultural and intellectual legacy of Renaissance Italy.
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Our workshops in Florence and London offer intellectually rich, immersive educational experiences that explore Latin, Classics, Philosophy, History, Art and Italian Renaissance culture. Designed by our director, Florence Forte, and delivered in collaboration with guest speakers and subject specialists, our workshops blend scholarly rigour with creative, hands-on learning. ​We offer bespoke workshops for schools, universities, and cultural institutions, as well as a select programme of core workshops that individuals can book onto directly. ​​​
Core Workshops
Latin Manuscripts for Beginners
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Join us in Florence to discover the world of Latin manuscripts: the remarkable handwritten texts preserving works from Antiquity to the Renaissance.
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Duration: 3-4 hours (1pm - 4/5pm)
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Learn essential Latin and palaeography skills: how to read, write, transcribe and illustrate manuscripts using both ancient and modern techniques. Participants begin by learning the basics of the Latin language and reading historical scripts. Next, they step into the shoes of medieval scribes by recreating the manuscript-making process through creative activities that blend art, language, and history. An optional add-on can include a visit to view an original manuscript, offering a chance to engage with these texts up close.​​ All materials and light refreshments provided, and no prior knowledge of Latin required.​
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Individuals: From £95 per person | Join the Waitlist​
Private group bookings available​
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Next availability: November 2025
For private group bookings, please get in touch at info@forte-academy.co.uk
Latin Watercolours Workshop
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Join us in Florence for this fun and interactive Beginner's Latin workshop that mixes language-learning with hands-on creativity through watercolours.
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Duration: 2-3 hours (3pm - 5/6pm)
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Discover the history of Latin as a language of expression over 2000+ years in this unique workshop tailored to the city of Florence. This workshop begins with an engaging seminar exploring the history of Latin and how both men and women have used this language to express their ideas and creativity across mediums from ancient inscriptions to oil paint. Next, participants will learn some essential Latin inspired by a chosen theme drawn from our special setting - indoors or outdoors depending on the season. Finally, guided by an artist, you'll create your own watercolour piece to take home. All materials and light refreshments provided, and no prior knowledge of Latin is required.
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​​​​Individuals: From £60 per person | Join the Waitlist​
Private group bookings available​
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Next availability: March 2026
For private group bookings, please get in touch at info@forte-academy.co.uk
Previous / Taster Workshops
Valentine's Latin Love Lesson ​​
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Is Latin your love language? Find out in our unique Latin Valentine's class for Beginners exploring the theme of "Love" over the centuries. Learn some essential love-related Latin vocabulary and how to translate a basic sentence, followed by a deep dive into the dramatic world of Latin Love Elegy through the ancient poets Catullus & Ovid. Using their new-found skills, students pick their favourite quotes and images to make their own Latin-inspired greetings card.
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Last held: 12 February 2025
Venue: The Monnalisa School, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram | Join the Waitlist
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Next availability: February 2026​
Celebrating Spring: From Ancient Rome to Renaissance Florence​​
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A special, seasonal workshop exploring the theme of "Spring" throughout history and resulting in a bespoke greetings card to take home. Learn the Latin terms that brought the season to life for the Romans and how the language of spring has evolved. Explore how spring was perceived in mythology and dive into some ancient stories and Renaissance artwork that celebrated the rebirth of nature and the arrival of this new season.
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Last held: 4 April 2025
Venue: The Medici Archive Project, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram | Join the Waitlist
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Next availability: April 2026
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The Epistolary Renaissance: Women Latinists and the Republic of Letters ​​​
This academic workshop aimed to examine the Latin literary contributions of women in late medieval and early modern Europe, with a focus on the genre of letter-writing. The quantity of evidence for letters written by women in both Latin and the vernacular between 1300-1700 constitutes what could be called an “Epistolary Renaissance”. Building upon scholarship that has investigated many of these women in isolation, or in relation to each other, this workshop connected them also to their male peers and the larger networks within which they operated. ​Read our review of this workshop.
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Held: 20 September 2024
Hosted by: The Medici Archive Project, Florence
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Watch the video of this workshop on our Instagram | Join the Waitlist
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