Grottaglie: Shape ceramics at the potter's wheel

Antonio will welcome you to one of the historical ceramic workshops in Grottaglie, which has been owned by his wife’s family for several centuries. During the pottery experience, you will also admire an ancient combustion kiln, used until the 1950s to bake terracotta.

At the beginning of the ceramic workshop, Antonio will tell you about the history of ceramics from Grottaglie and how this Southern Italy’s town still has the largest ceramic production district in Europe. Next, Antonio will explain and show you the process of working with clay, up to its firing and decoration. You will thus discover the differences between the techniques used in the past and those used today.

Next, getting to the heart of the pottery experience, you will roll up your sleeves and – under Antonio’s expert guidance – learn how to shape clay on a potter’s wheel to turn it into your own artwork. Please note that fresh clay is not transportable and, should you wish to take your work home, you can either go back to the workshop to pick it up after a couple of weeks or have Antonio ship it to you once it has been dried and fired (shipping costs not included in the price of the ceramic experience).

Modelling clay is a relaxing artistic activity, suitable for all ages. During the ceramic workshop, you will have time to chat with Antonio to ask him all the questions you want and learn more about his story as a master ceramist.