La Bottega dei Mascareri

If you’re looking up this shop, you already know that it’s world famous for making the masks in Eyes Wide Shut. I specifically wanted to come here when we were in Venice but didn’t LOOK for it until the last day. We must have walked past it a dozen times unknowingly.
Google Map is incorrect on the location. When you head north on the Rialto Bridge, the shop is just past the base on the right adjacent to the church and before Campo San Giacomo di Rialto.
GPS: 45.438 421, 12.335 368
Anyways, the shop is a lot smaller than I had imagined for someone of such renowned, it’s more of a street stall. The masks on display were very impressive but limited in selection compared to other shops. I got he Tom Cruise mask but I was a little disappointed when I got home and took a more detailed look at it. There were lots of hot glue strands from bead to bead. Not a huge deal as I can remove it carefully myself, but I shouldn’t have to after paying a premium price. -.5 star, but I’ll let this slide.
Overall, the mask is beautiful and I’m happy I got it.

So you’re in Venice right? Walking around Rialto bridge you’re surrounded by masks after masks after masks. You ask yourself «which store should I buy my souvenir mask?» Sure you can get the 1 € to 2 € ones like the one I got for my 4 yo niece to play with and call it a day. But if you’re willing to shell out big bucks and get an authentic Venetian mask then this is the place. The artist is world renown for his work and have had workshops all over the world. He also made the masks worn by the actors in the movie Eyes Wide Shut.
The masks are made from paper mâché and not plastic like most of the masks you’ll see around shops along the Rialto Bridge. It’s flexible as well and wearable.
It’s a tight space but the artist is helpful in helping you select which mask suits you and maybe give you some lecturing about how these damn tourists are so ignorant lol.

It is a workshop-​store mask, their advertising is having made masks for the Stanley Kubrick’s film «Eyes Wide Shut». I bought the same style worn by Tom Cruise in the movie. Authentic Masquerade Mask — Handmade in Italy and gold plated. It’s going on display in my new office. Beautiful, high quality, authentic eyes wide shut masquerade mask handmade by a real Venetian artist in Italy.
If you are looking for this place, it will be hard to find, so look for the cherubs in the front. I first saw the many pictures on the front door featuring celebrities and such. To my surprise, I walked in and met the artist himself. He even autographed by mask! Fabulous. So forget the street vendors! Their masks are not made in Italy, but mass produced in China. Go get them from the real deal because the quality is superior that the other stores.

My girlfriend and I visited Venice in June. We had been told about Sergio and his wonderful masks by a friend and found him on our 2^nd day. His shop is so small and intimate, that it is easy to miss. Look for it on the left side just as you cross the Rialto Bridge from the San Paulo side. When we told Sergio that we had looked for him for 2 days, he was so pleased. He actually closed his doors while we chose our masks and then graciously signed them, packed them securely and posed for a picture with us. A most wonderful experience indeed in the first city we hit in Italia.

Wonderful, unique mask shop right in the shadow of the Rialto bridge. This tiny shop is filled with meticulously hand painted masks, all done by the brothers Sergio and Massimo Boldrin. With the glut of mass produced masks in Venice (more and more from China), these brothers are a true talent.
We were referred here by a work associate in Los Angeles, and we know why. Sergio is one of the kindest, most humble men I’ve met, and it was a pleasure speaking with him for a while. Many of his beautiful masks are only about 20 euros, but he has some masterpieces available for much more. There are some stores in Hollywood that sell his masks for several hundred dollars each. Why, you ask?
Sergio and his brother created the masks for Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut.” These guys are internationally known, but you’d never suspect it from their shop or demeanor. Find it on the NW side of the bridge, on the right side of the main alley, tucked in among all the other little stalls. Just look for the smallest room with the most unique masks!