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All Spain Manises The Ceramics of Manises

The Ceramics of Manises

Beautiful tiles decorate many of the town's surfaces and stand testimony to its glorious artistic history.

Manises, Spain

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Alan Newman
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The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The tourist office.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Ceramic pottery, with the signature blue color.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The other side of the switch box.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
This is a switch box to control street lighting.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
International Women’s Day statue.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
A decorated panel on a plinth.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
A decorated panel on a plinth.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The signs for the route   dorobuettgen / Atlas Obscura User
A decorated panel on a plinth.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Ceramic Route through Manises, 2,5 km   dorobuettgen / Atlas Obscura User
Welcome to Manises   dorobuettgen / Atlas Obscura User
Ceramic tiles at a metro station in Manises   19Tarrestnom65
The beautiful tiles of Manises.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the Spanish town of Manises, if a surface can be tiled, it probably is. Located close to Valencia, it has for several centuries been synonymous with the manufacture of exquisite tiles and ceramic pieces.

The art was brought over by the Moors. The region’s golden period of ceramic production began in the 14th century and went on until the 18th century. The delicate pottery pieces blended Arabic and Christian influences and were famous across the continent and beyond. Deep blue, their signature color, was common in many of the pieces. 

The industry fell on hard times in the 19th century and things worsened even further in the 20th century. Although the town has lost some of its international prestige, ceramics are still the most important aspect of the town and many parts still proudly showcase the form.

One of the best places to see and appreciate the exquisite ceramics is Avenida Blasco Ibáñez. While walking along this main thoroughfare dedicated to Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, a prolific author and local hero, you will see large tiled panels on both sides depicting images derived from his many novels. The panels are about four feet high and five feet long and showcase the best of Spanish literature and visual art. The neighborhood is also where several ceramic producers have their premises and shopfronts, which are highly decorated with their tile work. There are still plenty of ceramic workshops here, although there seems to be a recent trend of closures. 

The massive tiled cross in the middle of Avenida Blasco Ibáñez is also very impressive. The town’s tourism office is covered in attractive tiles and nearby is the municipal market, which has some fantastic panels. 

The ceramics fest is not limited to this street. There is also the municipal Museum of Ceramics on Carrer Sagrari, which presents the various production techniques used throughout the centuries. The top floor features a small gallery with modern ceramic works.

Related Tags

Art History Color Literature Public Blue Museums

Know Before You Go

When travelling from Valencia city it is easiest to go to Manises by the Metro.

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Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

dorobuettgen

  • dorobuettgen

Published

September 18, 2017

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Sources
  • http://valencia.for91days.com/the-ceramics-of-manises/
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=gZaeGVNjIfcC&pg=PA359&dq=ceramic+manises&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFxq2M263WAhWpx4MKHXJtDtAQ6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=manises&f=false
  • http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2010.00552.x/abstract
  • http://www.valenciafoodtourspain.com/en/valencian-ceramics-what-to-know/
  • http://www.lovevalencia.com/calles/avenida-blasco-ibanez
  • http://nothemingwaysspain.blogspot.com/2011/11/that-perfect-gift-decorative-ceramics.html
  • https://www.britannica.com/art/Manises-ware
The Ceramics of Manises
47 Av. Blasco Ibáñez
Manises
Spain
39.492608, -0.460063
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