RELIGHT Venice: OUR Candles

Our Relight candles are much more than just a decorative item: they are the result of a blend of natural, recycled, and local materials that tell stories of tradition, passion, and collaboration.

Each candle is a small journey through Venice and its roots, bringing together the craftsmanship of local artisans, sustainability, and the involvement of communities that, through their efforts, create something new.

By purchasing a Relight candle, you are not only supporting our project, but also honoring the hands that made them and the stories each element carries with it.

THE MEANING

The act of (re)lighting a candle or choosing not to consume it carries a deep question, a dilemma that concerns not only Venice but every corner of our world: will you relight Venice, consume it, or preserve it?

The Wax

Our candles are made with a special recipe that ensures long-lasting durability, keeping their solidity over time without deteriorating.

We use soy wax (no bees are disturbed!) and a portion of recycled wax, which we often receive from local churches and people in the neighborhood. This not only reduces waste but also strengthens our bond with the community.

The colors of our candles are created by us, blending wax pastels and liquid dyes to achieve different shades that complement any décor.

Wooden Bases

The bases of our candles are made from walnut, apple, or cherry wood: these are the scraps from the crafting of forcole, the unique oars used for rowing gondolas in Venice. We recover these raw pieces from the master forcolaio Saverio Pastor and the young and skilled Piero Dri, both custodians of a tradition that now counts only three forcolai left in the city.

Each base is unique: after selecting the wood, we cut it, shape it, sand it, polish it, and finally mark it with our logo.

Upon request, we also create custom-sized bases in large dimensions and multi-hole designs to accommodate multiple candles.

Brass Bases

The brass bases are the result of a wonderful collaboration with the historic Fonderia Valese, the last foundry still active in Venice.

A true city institution, it is the same foundry that creates iconic elements found throughout the city, such as handles, knockers, chandeliers, and bells. We chose Fonderia Valese for its impeccable quality and its ability to deliver products that stand the test of time, bringing the authenticity and tradition of Venice into our candles.

A Project of Rebirth: Our Second Workshop at the Female Prison in Venice

Since 2022, we have been proud to collaborate with the Female Prison in Venice and the Rio Terà dei Pensieri Social Cooperative, an organization dedicated to the social reintegration of female inmates, supporting them throughout their journey of transformation during and after their incarceration.

We have a space within the prison on the island of Giudecca, where every Monday we spend time with the incarcerated women, sharing our knowledge and learning, day by day, far more than we ever imagined.

Once their period of detention ends, some women choose to continue their path with us, taking part in an integrative internship at our workshop/store in Calle Zancani.

This project is of fundamental importance to us, not only because it offers an opportunity for growth and training to the inmates, but also because it reminds us of the true meaning of resilience, strength, and hope.

Often, those who end up in prison do so because of unfortunate circumstances, such as growing up in environments marked by insecurity, fragility, and survival. This is what enriches us the most: witnessing how the time spent together, mutual teaching, and support can contribute to a path of redemption and rebirth.

Every candle you purchase directly supports this project, creating a bond of solidarity that goes beyond the product.

A Symbolic Gesture

This dichotomy between consuming and preserving is not only a reflection on Venice but a powerful metaphor for being a tourist or a traveler.

Some stop at consumption, merely snapping photos of places, rushing through without leaving a trace—almost as if travel is just an opportunity to consume the world, to collect experiences to show off, without pausing to reflect on the deeper meaning of what they’re experiencing.

Then there are those, like true travelers, who feel the impulse to discover, to learn, to understand. These are the ones who go beyond the surface, who immerse themselves in the places, the traditions, and the local culture, and through this, actively contribute to the preservation and respect of the places they visit.

This is exactly the message we want to spread with our Relight candles: wherever you are, feel like a local! It’s an invitation to consciously choose how we interact with what surrounds us, so that through our gesture, we can contribute to its preservation and enhancement.

Our Relight candles, inspired by the architecture of Venice such as the colonnade of Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Ca' d'Oro, are the result of this mindset. Each candle is designed to be a small work of art that tells a story, a fragment of a place that must be preserved. And we don’t stop here!

Our passion for places and their traditions extends beyond Venice. We create commissioned candles inspired by other places, using materials for the bases that speak to the history and soul of that place. An example? Our Relight candles Matera, created for EgoItaliano, inspired by the vents of their typical buildings, with a base made from tufa crafted by a local artisan.

Our dream? To create a multitude of candles inspired by different places, each telling the stories of these locations and spreading our values. So, if you have an idea, get in touch with us!

In an era driven by speed, let’s take a moment to celebrate the beauty of places and people, embracing the philosophy of the mindful traveler.

Each Relight candle is a small light that reminds us it is our duty to protect this world, respect it, and, above all, live it.

CHOOSE YOUR CANDLE!

Bauta

The Bauta Candle replicates the iconic mask famously worn by Casanova to avoid being recognized. Its elongated shape allowed the wearer to eat and drink without removing it, but most importantly, it functioned as a sounding board, altering the tone of the wearer’s voice to prevent acquaintances from recognizing them.

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