Hand made tiles and personalised ceramics in Totana

Centuries old artisan traditions live on in the south-west of Murcia

Totana has been a focal point for artisan ceramic production for many centuries, with natural sources of clay occurring locally, and although the market for hand produced items has been decimated by cheap Chinese imports, there are still a number of artisans working in the municipality today.

It’s a good place to head for if looking for ceramic items of any description for the home, and the tourist office in the centre of the town alongside the town hall (ayuntameinto) will be happy to supply a map indicating where the various shops and workshops are located.(Click for Totana Tourist Office)

A vast range of items can be purchased, ranging from large-scale terracotta garden pots, to teasets, jugs, bowls, house signs, murals, and even individual tiles.

The opportunity to buy directly from the manufacturers opens up many possibilities for locals and local visitors, as some of these workshops will make items to order at extremely low prices.

As much of the production is on a small-scale, items are hand-thrown and so it’s very easy for the potters to make sets especially to order, or individual pieces which follow the designs usually produced. All of the painting is done-in house, so again, personalised messages, sets of plates, bowls, teasets, mugs, or just a special bowl or plate can be painted to order.

While visiting one of the workshops, a teaset and bowls had just been painted for a client, and samples of simple house signs or tiles were also on show. The prices are very low, and a special bowl commemorating a family occasion, special visitor, personalised seasonal gifts, or a special set of crockery for daily use can all be painted or made to order for just a  few euros a piece

The workshop shown in the images is that of the Alfarería El Poveo, which is located at the far end of the enormous rambla and the Avenida de La Santa which flows through the centre of Totana just before the aquaduct whih crosses the rambla. The best way to find it is to drive along the rambla and go as far as the road will allow and it’s set slightly back from the road up a dusty track.

It’s interesting to note that this workshop, and another behind it, are opposite the original Iberian settlement in Totana, the Iberians renowned for their attractive ceramic production 500 years before the birth of Christ.

The Alfarería El Poveo is a family business which has been in operation since the beginning of the last century, the current owners the third generation producing ceramics from this site. Run by Mercedes and Antonio, with their son now learning his trade as part of the family business, they produce a wide range of everyday objects and can personalise just about anything sold through their workshops.

It’s also possible for visitors to paint their own ceramics in situ and groups are welcome to visit.

They sell directly from their workshops and are open for visitors between Monday and Friday from 9am to 2pm and again from 4.30pm to 8pm.

They can be contacted by phone on 968 421 952.