Silver Breath
Silver Breath
Via Sacramora, 12, 48018 Faenza, RA, Italia
Up to 8 in group
Jun 8 - 13, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Exclusive access to the private architectural village of Sacramora 12
- Mastering the origins of light: Pinhole cameras and Calotype printing
- A hands-on, lens-free creative journey with Master Andrea Calabresi
- Intimate group size limited to only 8 participants for personalized guidance
- Meditative "Slow Photography" sessions in a 7-hectare private park
- Full immersion in 20th-century Italian design and Rationalist architecture
- Gourmet farm-to-table dining featuring authentic Romagna flavors
- A welcoming "Humans are Humans" environment for all creative souls
- The rare opportunity to create physical, tactile art from paper and light
About this Retreat
Your Guides
About Andrea Calabresi
Master Printer, Photographer, and Educator
Andrea Calabresi is a prominent figure in the world of contemporary analog photography. With a career spanning over 40 years, he has dedicated his life to the study of light and the alchemical processes of the darkroom. Born in Rome, Andrea’s journey began in childhood, later refined under the mentorship of masters like James Megargee and Arno Rafael Minkkinen. Today, he is widely recognized as a Master Printer, specializing in gelatin silver prints on baryta paper—a medium he uses to achieve what he calls "perceptive realism."
Artistic Vision
His artistic work is characterized by long-term, meditative projects that explore the essence of space and nature. Notable series such as Close Landscapes (2001-2008) and The Upper Half (focused on the celestial bodies of the Moon and the Sun) have been exhibited in prestigious galleries, including Maja Arte Contemporanea in Rome. His large-format prints are celebrated for their tonal richness and their ability to reproduce the naturalness of human vision without falling into pictorialism.
Teaching Philosophy: CorsiFotoAnalogica
As the founder and lead instructor of CorsiFotoAnalogica, Andrea has trained a generation of photographers. His teaching style is "multiform and stratified," combining rigorous technical mastery with a profound human connection. He is known for his rare ability to quickly understand a student's level and frustrations, transforming them into creative breakthroughs. In his workshops, there is no "pedestal"—only a shared passion for distilling years of knowledge into a practical, hands-on experience.
The Silver Breath Experience
Through the Silver Breath retreats, Andrea brings his expertise to the serene setting of Sacramora 12, offering participants a unique bridge between 19th-century optical history (Camera Lucida) and professional fine-art printing. Under his guidance, you won't just take a photo; you will learn to "think" with light and create a physical object that breathes with your own vision.
Details of this retreat
Silver Breath: A Journey into the Origins of Light
Step away from the digital noise and rediscover the primal act of seeing.
"Silver Breath" is not just a photography workshop; it is a meditative retreat into the physical essence of the image. Held within the exclusive Rationalist village of Sacramora 12, this experience invites you to slow down and work with the most fundamental elements of art: light, time, and matter.
Led by Master Printer Andrea Calabresi, you will embark on a 5-day journey back to the very beginning of photography. We strip away lenses, sensors, and complex optics to return to a tactile, "human" way of creating.
What you will experience:
The Alchemy of Light: Create Lumen prints using only the sun and botanical elements from our 7-hectare private park.
Building the Vision: Construct your own pinhole camera from simple materials, learning that a box and a tiny hole are all you need to capture the world’s soul.
The Calotype Legacy: Master the art of paper negatives and contact printing, touching the same chemical magic that pioneers faced in 1839.
Living Design: Immerse yourself in a sanctuary of Italian architecture, living among design icons and sharing convivial meals in an inclusive "Humans are Humans" atmosphere.
This retreat is limited to only 8 participants to ensure an intimate, personalized mentorship. Whether you are a professional photographer looking to reconnect with your roots or a creative soul seeking a new way to see, Silver Breath offers the space to breathe, create, and leave with tangible silver-gelatin prints born from your own hands.
Join us where architecture, nature, and the origins of light converge.
Step away from the digital noise and rediscover the primal act of seeing.
"Silver Breath" is not just a photography workshop; it is a meditative retreat into the physical essence of the image. Held within the exclusive Rationalist village of Sacramora 12, this experience invites you to slow down and work with the most fundamental elements of art: light, time, and matter.
Led by Master Printer Andrea Calabresi, you will embark on a 5-day journey back to the very beginning of photography. We strip away lenses, sensors, and complex optics to return to a tactile, "human" way of creating.
What you will experience:
The Alchemy of Light: Create Lumen prints using only the sun and botanical elements from our 7-hectare private park.
Building the Vision: Construct your own pinhole camera from simple materials, learning that a box and a tiny hole are all you need to capture the world’s soul.
The Calotype Legacy: Master the art of paper negatives and contact printing, touching the same chemical magic that pioneers faced in 1839.
Living Design: Immerse yourself in a sanctuary of Italian architecture, living among design icons and sharing convivial meals in an inclusive "Humans are Humans" atmosphere.
This retreat is limited to only 8 participants to ensure an intimate, personalized mentorship. Whether you are a professional photographer looking to reconnect with your roots or a creative soul seeking a new way to see, Silver Breath offers the space to breathe, create, and leave with tangible silver-gelatin prints born from your own hands.
Join us where architecture, nature, and the origins of light converge.
Schedule
Day 1: The Desire to Hold the World Still
16:00 – Arrival, check-in, and welcome at Sacramora 12
18:00 – First gathering: Introduction to the history of "The Desire"
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo: play with a Camera Lucida
20:30 – Welcome Dinner: Traditional flavors of Romagna
Day 2: Light Writing Itself (Lumen Prints)
08:30 – Organic Breakfast
10:00 – The Alchemy of Light: Gathering botanicals and creating Lumen prints, drawing with a Camera Lucida
13:00 – Convivial Lunch
15:00 – Solving the Fixing Problem: Exploring the 1839 Talbot challenges
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner and conversation
Day 3: Building the Camera (Pinhole & Paper Negatives)
08:30 – Breakfast
10:00 – Crafting session: Building your handmade cardboard pinhole camera
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – First Light: Photographing the garden with your new tool
17:00 – Developing session: Understanding paper negatives
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner
Day 4: The Slow Field (The Central Day)
08:30 – Breakfast
10:00 – Deep practice: Long exposures, portraits, and still-life in the park
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – The Art of Patience: Following the sun’s pace with the pinhole
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner
Day 5: The Final Sharing & Exhibition
08:30 – Breakfast
09:30 – Morning Lab: Intensive contact printing session
13:00 – Lunch
14:30 – Afternoon Lab: Finalizing the silver-gelatin prints
16:30 – Collective Review: Selecting and curating the works for display
18:30 – Private Exhibition: Presenting our work within Sacramora 12
19:30 – Celebration Aperitivo: Enjoying the results of our journey
20:30 – Farewell Celebration Dinner
Day 6: Salutations
08:30 – Final collective breakfast
10:30 – Closing circle and departures
16:00 – Arrival, check-in, and welcome at Sacramora 12
18:00 – First gathering: Introduction to the history of "The Desire"
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo: play with a Camera Lucida
20:30 – Welcome Dinner: Traditional flavors of Romagna
Day 2: Light Writing Itself (Lumen Prints)
08:30 – Organic Breakfast
10:00 – The Alchemy of Light: Gathering botanicals and creating Lumen prints, drawing with a Camera Lucida
13:00 – Convivial Lunch
15:00 – Solving the Fixing Problem: Exploring the 1839 Talbot challenges
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner and conversation
Day 3: Building the Camera (Pinhole & Paper Negatives)
08:30 – Breakfast
10:00 – Crafting session: Building your handmade cardboard pinhole camera
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – First Light: Photographing the garden with your new tool
17:00 – Developing session: Understanding paper negatives
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner
Day 4: The Slow Field (The Central Day)
08:30 – Breakfast
10:00 – Deep practice: Long exposures, portraits, and still-life in the park
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – The Art of Patience: Following the sun’s pace with the pinhole
19:30 – Sunset Aperitivo
20:30 – Dinner
Day 5: The Final Sharing & Exhibition
08:30 – Breakfast
09:30 – Morning Lab: Intensive contact printing session
13:00 – Lunch
14:30 – Afternoon Lab: Finalizing the silver-gelatin prints
16:30 – Collective Review: Selecting and curating the works for display
18:30 – Private Exhibition: Presenting our work within Sacramora 12
19:30 – Celebration Aperitivo: Enjoying the results of our journey
20:30 – Farewell Celebration Dinner
Day 6: Salutations
08:30 – Final collective breakfast
10:30 – Closing circle and departures
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Acromatica aps - CorsiFotoAnalogica, Via Sacramora, 12, 48018 Faenza, RA, Italia
Directions
Sacramora 12 is located in Faenza, Italy.
By Plane:
Bologna International Airport (BLQ): The closest and most convenient (approx. 45 min by car or train).
Forlì Airport (FRL): Only 20 min away (limited flights).
By Train:
Faenza is well-connected to the national rail network. Frequent trains from Bologna take about 30-40 minutes.
Shuttle Service:
We offer a complimentary shuttle service for our guests from and to the Faenza Railway Station. Please coordinate your arrival time with us in advance.
By Car:
Accessible via the A14 motorway (Exit: Faenza). Private parking is available on-site.
By Plane:
Bologna International Airport (BLQ): The closest and most convenient (approx. 45 min by car or train).
Forlì Airport (FRL): Only 20 min away (limited flights).
By Train:
Faenza is well-connected to the national rail network. Frequent trains from Bologna take about 30-40 minutes.
Shuttle Service:
We offer a complimentary shuttle service for our guests from and to the Faenza Railway Station. Please coordinate your arrival time with us in advance.
By Car:
Accessible via the A14 motorway (Exit: Faenza). Private parking is available on-site.
Accommodation
The Guest Suites: A Living Collection of Italian Design At Sacramora 12, accommodation is an integral part of the creative experience. The estate is a masterpiece of Rationalist architecture, where every room serves as a private gallery. Guests will stay in spacious, light-filled suites that house an extraordinary collection of Italian design icons, alongside international masters like Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer. The interiors are a tribute to the golden age of Italian creativity, featuring original pieces and timeless aesthetics. Each suite is designed as a sanctuary of profound silence, with large windows overlooking the 7-hectare private park. Our Unique Spaces: Gallery & Gallery Maxi: These are the heart of our design collection. Elegant and expansive, they offer an immersive experience among rare 20th-century pieces, perfect for those seeking the ultimate aesthetic inspiration. Modernist: A suite that perfectly embodies the Rationalist spirit of the estate. Clean lines, curated functionalism, and a deep sense of architectural balance. Open Space: A fluid, contemporary environment where light and air flow freely. Ideal for those who love large volumes and a minimalist, loft-like atmosphere. Pop: A more vibrant and playful interpretation of Italian design, where color and iconic shapes create a stimulating yet relaxing environment. Mini: An intimate and cozy "bijou" suite. Though smaller in scale, it maintains the same high standard of design and comfort, offering a perfect private nest. Common Areas: The grand living hall and the dining area serve as the "agora" of our village—spaces where architecture fosters community, hosting our evening discussions and shared meals in a convivial atmosphere. All accommodations feature private bathrooms, refined linens, and easy access to the pool and the creative laboratory.
Tuition & Experience (The Core) and meals fee, icludes the use of the pool and of the location facilities.
Non-Participant / Companion Fee, includes meals and the use of the pool and the location facilities.
Accomodation 1 - MINI - Suite for 2 people. Our most intimate accommodation. A cozy, private "bijou" suite that maintains the same high-level design standards in a smaller, quieter scale.
Accomodation 2 - POP - Suite for 2 people. A vibrant stay among iconic colorful design pieces. A creative and stimulating environment, offering full access to all retreat facilities.
Accomodation 3 - MODERNIST - Up to 4 people. A perfect balance of Rationalist architecture and contemporary space. Ideal for those who love clean lines, iconic design, and abundant natural light.
Accomodation 4 - GALLERY - Large suite for 2 people. These are the heart of our design collection. Elegant and expansive, they offer an immersive experience among rare 20th-century pieces, perfect for those seeking the ultimate aesthetic inspiration.
Accomodation 4 extended - GALLERY MAXY - Adds 2 people to Gallery. Another double bed set in the gallery apartment with ist own ensuite bathroom. Can be booked only as addiction to GALLERY.
Accomodation 5 - OPEN SPACE - For 2 people. A large fluid, contemporary environment where light and air flow freely. Ideal for those who love large volumes and a minimalist, loft-like atmosphere.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Sacramora 12 is a private architectural village in the heart of Romagna. A masterpiece of Rationalist design, the estate offers 7 hectares of lush parkland, a swimming pool, and curated interiors filled with 20th-century design icons. Each suite is a sanctuary of peace, blending minimalist elegance with rural silence. It is not just a venue, but a "creative ecosystem" designed for inspiration, offering total privacy and a profound connection with the surrounding landscape.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Organic, seasonal Romagna flavors. Meals are a convivial ritual with farm-to-table ingredients, artisanal pasta, and local wine. Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free options available upon request.
What's Included
- 5 nights of accommodation in the exclusive design suites of Sacramora 12
- All daily meals: organic breakfast, gourmet lunch, and traditional dinners
- Full tuition and mentorship by Master Printer Andrea Calabresi
- All photographic materials (light-sensitive papers, chemicals, etc.)
- Workshop for building your own hand-made pinhole camera
- Complimentary shuttle service from and to Faenza Railway Station
- Exclusive access to the 7-hectare private park, pool, and common areas
- Welcome kit and all necessary equipment for the "Silver Breath" sessions
- High-quality paper and chemistry for your final contact prints
- Water, coffee, and local wine during meals
What's Not Included
- Airfare and travel to Italy, retreat location
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional extra private lessons or additional nights
Similar retreats
Relationship & Community
Art Retreat: Etching & Printmaking in Italy-Ink & Paper Italy
May 15 - 21, 2026
From €2,000
/ 7 days
Last Chance
Relationship & Community
Energy and Healing for Two HEDONIC AND EUDAEMONIC WELLNESS ENJOY AND TREAT
7 Days Package
From €4,728
/
