Ceramics from Horezu, Romania

Traditional craft in colorful variety

Horezu is a small town in the foothills of the Southern Carpathians in Wallachia. In addition to the Romanian Orthodox monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage), the town is particularly known for its ceramics. These have even been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

If you pass the town entrance and take the main road into the town, you will recognise the importance of pottery for the ceramics town. On the left and right, ceramics stalls and houses with their pottery workshops are lined up next to each other.

Here you can buy whatever your heart desires, from everyday objects to decorative items and accessories. A look into a pottery shows which techniques are used and how the bowls, cups, plates, vases... are made from clay. Some, like "Ceramica Pietraru", have a small café hidden in the garden.

The colors are inspired by nature and the environment, shining in simple to vibrant shades of dark brown, red, green, blue, yellow and “Horezu ivory”.

The Slavic and Oriental influence is evident in the patterns with the streaking decoration. Also modern designs can be found.

The historical and most well-known motif associated with Horezu is the rooster. Other ideas for paintings can also be sourced from folklore and everyday life in agriculture and nature.

There is another little gem to discover besides Horezu. If you follow the signs of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will come to Olari, an even smaller, hidden place not far from Horezu.

At the end of the journey across the countryside and through small villages, a little surprise awaits. Far away from tourism, opens up a traditional, quaint village dedicated to pottery, which can be recognized by the houses richly decorated with colorful ceramics. Of course, you can also buy your favorite ceramic pieces here. The stalls are set up in front of the houses. Sometimes an old mum sits between the tables, waiting for customers and touting her wares.

There are accommodation options in both towns, Horezu and Olari.