How Andalusian Ceramics Are Made: A Behind-the-Scenes Look in Córdoba’s Workshops
If you’ve ever wandered the winding streets of Córdoba’s old town, you’ve likely spotted it: the gleam of hand-painted tiles, the earthy tones of terracotta jugs, the rhythmic patterns passed down since Al-Andalus. Ceramics in Andalusia are more than decoration—they're a legacy. And nowhere is that legacy more alive than in the workshops of Córdoba, a city with roots in Roman pottery and Islamic tilework.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how these timeless pieces are still made today.
🏺 1. The Clay of Southern Spain
The story begins with the clay—and Andalusia is rich in it. Workshops around Córdoba and nearby towns like La Rambla and Puente Genil use local red earthenware clay, prized for its durability and rustic finish.
In many traditional talleres, artisans still knead the clay by hand, respecting the pace of the material and its natural moisture. Some even let it rest in underground cellars to maintain temperature consistency year-round.
⚙️ 2. Shaping with Tradition
Córdoban potters use two classic methods to shape their pieces:
- Torno alfarero (potter’s wheel): Still powered by foot in some old studios, this method is used for vases, jugs, bowls, and amphorae.
- Mould pressing: For tiles (azulejos), flat plaques, or religious iconography, clay is pressed into carved plaster or wooden moulds, many of which are passed down through generations.
What emerges is already recognisably Andalusian: wide-handled pitchers for olive oil, tapas plates with raised lips, and tiles with Islamic-inspired symmetry.
🌬️ 3. Drying, Trimming, and the First Firing
Once shaped, pieces are left to air dry slowly, usually in shaded courtyards where Córdoba’s dry climate helps avoid cracking. When leather-hard, they’re trimmed and sanded.
Then comes the first firing—el bizcochado—in kilns heated to around 950–1000°C. This transforms the soft clay into a ceramic body ready for glazing and decoration.
Fun fact: some workshops still use wood-fired kilns, especially in rural areas of the Subbética mountains, for a richer finish and traditional character.
🎨 4. Glazing & Painting: Where Andalusia Comes Alive
This is where the signature Córdoban and Andalusian aesthetic truly takes form.
- Glazing: A creamy white tin glaze is often applied as a base, known as loza. This helps bring out the vibrant colours in the next stage.
- Hand-Painting: Artists paint each piece freehand, often drawing from centuries-old motifs:
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- Islamic geometric patterns
- Mudejar floral elements
- Christian iconography (seen in religious wall plaques)
- Calleja-style azulejos, as found in Córdoba patios and courtyards
The colours are regionally distinct: deep cobalt blue, iron oxide brown, and copper green are especially prominent in Córdoba.
🔥 5. Second Firing: Colour Comes to Life
After painting, the ceramics go through a second firing. This time, the glaze melts and fuses the pigments into a glossy, durable finish. The outcome is dramatic—subtle brushstrokes become vivid patterns, and the white base becomes luminous.
This is the stage that makes or breaks the piece. Too hot, and the colours bleed. Too cool, and the glaze stays dull. The best artisans know the kiln like an old friend—and some still judge readiness by sound and smell.
🔚 In a World of Mass Production, This Endures
Andalusian ceramics—especially those from Córdoba—aren’t just beautiful. They’re resilient, rooted, and real. Whether it’s a hand-thrown water jug or a single painted tile on your wall, these objects hold centuries of touch, fire, and care.
In every sense, they’re the opposite of disposable. And maybe that’s exactly what we need more of today.