In the heart of old Toledo, where stone streets echo with centuries of footsteps, the ringing of a hammer on metal can still be heard in a small workshop. Here, within ancient walls, 87-year-old Mariano San Félix continues to craft true masterpieces of damascening—the art of inlaying gold and silver into steel. Despite his age, his hands are steady and his gaze remains sharp. Only a handful of such artisans remain in Toledo, each one a living legend. But time is relentless: unless a new generation emerges, the craft will disappear forever.
Damascening is more than just decoration—it’s part of the city’s cultural heritage. In Europe, only Toledo has preserved this technique, though individual craftsmen can still be found in Morocco, India, and Japan. There were once hundreds of artisans working in Toledo, but as machine stamping arrived in the 1970s, workshops began closing one after another. Today, damascening is no longer made in factories but in tiny studios, where every piece is unique.
A new hope
In the coming weeks, a unique educational project will launch in Toledo: the local Escuela de Artes y Oficios will offer an official certificate course in damascening. This is not just another hobby class—it’s a full-fledged professional training program, supported by the Castilla-La Mancha government. For a craft teetering on the edge of extinction, this is a chance for survival.
The course is designed for 15 participants, but twice as many people signed up. Among them are not only locals, but also former students and even artisans from other cities. The program includes four modules, with the first dedicated to drawing for damasquinado. The training totals 540 hours, including 80 hours of hands-on practice. The instructors will be the damasquinadores of Toledo themselves, many of whom once studied within these same walls.
A generational shift
Mariano San Félix, head of the Fundación Damasquinado de Toledo, does not hide his concern: unless knowledge is passed on to the younger generation, the craft will disappear within a few years. For him, what matters most is not cultural heritage status, but having real students who can carry the tradition forward. He is supported by another master, Óscar Martín, who notes that students will now have the chance to study under experienced artisans without distracting them from workshop work.
In Toledo, damasquinado has always been closely linked to tourism. It was tourists who fueled the demand for these unique pieces, helping the craft survive. But in other cities, such as Eibar, the tradition has already been lost—there are no artisans left there. It was after an exhibition that brought Toledo and Eibar together that regional authorities realized: if action is not taken, damasquinado will vanish here as well.
The fight for authenticity
Today, damasquinado in Toledo has been officially recognized as a cultural heritage asset. This is an important step—only then can a special quality mark be established to distinguish handmade work from factory-made products. Craftsmen believe that without this, buyers won’t understand what they’re paying for, and these unique pieces will go unappreciated.
Luis Peñalver, another member of the foundation, emphasizes that the goal is not only to preserve the craft, but also to educate buyers. Only by knowing the difference between genuine damasquinado and its imitation can people truly value the artisans’ efforts. For now, every new student at the school offers hope that the art won’t disappear.
Facing new challenges
Today, no more than two dozen craftsmen in Toledo are still able to create damasquinado using traditional techniques. Their works can be found in museums and private collections, but most importantly, the craft continues in the hands of new apprentices. The question remains whether the younger generation will find enough enthusiasm and patience to master this demanding skill, which requires not only talent, but also immense dedication.
While some argue about status and certificates, others simply pick up the hammer and begin to learn. Perhaps it is these people who will one day become the new keepers of an ancient tradition that just yesterday seemed destined to fade into oblivion.
