Museo delle Ceramiche di Castelli e artigiani

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Of ancient origin, the art of ceramic in Castelli, a beautiful Medieval village in the province of Teramo, became renowned in the 16^th and 17^th century, thanks to its rich, lively and flowery decorations but also thanks to the moderate cost of the objects produced (due to the innovative techniques and production systems). Among the most important families dealing with ceramic there were the Cappellettis, the Gentilis and the Fuinas, whose precious artefacts are now exhibited in the most important museums all over the world, such as Louvre, Metropolitan, British Museum, Hermitage and others.

The ceramic museum was established in 1984 in an ancient Franciscan monastery in Castelli, dating back to the 16^th century. Its aim was to promote the culture and art of majolica, safeguarding local history and tradition.

Many craft workshops are still active in the village. Among them, Casa d’Arte Ceramica Simonetti, established and directed by ceramic artist Giovanni Simonetti in 1967, after buying an ancient workshop using traditional systems like a pedal lathe and a wood oven.

Among the workshops, there are Simonetti Ceramica Artistica di Castelli di Simonetti Antonio (via Scesa del Borgo, tel. +39 0861 979499), Ceramiche Simonetti Di Simonetti Antonio Castelli (via Gentile Carmine 32, tel. +39 0861 979499); Ceramiche di Castelli Pistocchi Graziana (via Bivio Villa Rossi 10, tel. +39 0861 974947).

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)