Vila Franca Pottery Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Vila Franca do Campo > Vila Franca do Campo > São Pedro

Location

The Vila Franca Pottery Museum is located in the São Pedro area, within the town of Vila Franca do Campo. Its position allows visitors direct access to the local cultural heritage, integrated into the urban environment of the Azorean town.

The Legacy of Ceramics

This museum is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the rich history of pottery in Vila Franca do Campo. Ceramics was, in times, a craft activity of great importance in this region, especially during the 19th century, a period when numerous workshops flourished. The space invites a journey through time, showing the value and evolution of this traditional art, fundamental to local culture and economy.

The Old Workshops

The museum integrates several potteries that have been carefully restored to illustrate the different facets and working methods of the old master potters. One of the most notable is the old workshop of Master António Batata, built in the 19th century, which stands out for its size. It also features its original stone walls and preserves three potter's wheels, as well as an attached kiln, just as it would have functioned in the past, providing an authentic view of the manufacturing process.

It is also possible to observe the workshop of José Batata, which presents the traditional structure with the wheel, the clay pit where the clay was prepared, and wooden display stands for the pieces. João da Rita's pottery offers a more comprehensive perspective, including a clay pit, potter's wheel, and not only an old outdoor kiln, but also an electric kiln, and a workroom, revealing the continuity and adaptations of the art over time.

The Communal Kiln

An integral part of the museum is a collective pottery kiln, built in the 19th century. This kiln represents an important testament to the communal artisanal production of the time, being a central element for firing pieces produced in the various potteries of the town, before they reached homes and markets.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt