Cordoba, nestled in the heart of Andalusia, is a treasure trove of artisanal mastery. For centuries, Cordova has been a melting pot of cultures, each leaving its indelible mark on the city's craft traditions. From the intricate leatherwork and silver filigree to the world-renowned pottery and ceramics, Cordova's crafts are a testament to the skill and dedication of its artisans. Join us as we explore these timeless crafts that continue to captivate and inspire
Craftsmanship in Cordova has a long historical evolution, with pottery being one of the main crafts. The pottery comes from two main areas: the north, mainly Hinojosa de Duque and Pozoblanco, where the clay has a high content of iron and grains of mica that, when baked, give the pottery a reddish colour with small metallic grains. In the south, the loam has a high content of calcium, resulting in a pinky yellow colour after baking, which turns into a brilliant white if salt is added beforehand. Particularly remarkable are the small ewers from La Rambla, the earthenware vats from Lucena, and the pitchers and earthen pots from Alcolea del Río.
One of the most brilliant initiatives undertaken by young people in Cordova is the recovery of pottery from the period of the caliphs. Once again, potters are using the designs, techniques, and decorative motifs of what was the pottery of Cordova's greatest splendour under Islam. Plates, bottles, and bowls are made, decorated with geometrical, vegetable, and animal forms, and words in Cufic script.
Jewellery is now one of the mainstays of the economy in Cordova, where silversmiths have come into their own again. Traditionally called silversmiths, they work principally with gold. The workshops are in the town of Cordova, and their designs range from the most classical earrings and rings to the most advanced contemporary creations, even using new materials on occasion.
Cordova is well known for its leather goods, and the trade is still handled in the family workshops in Cordova itself. The old embossing techniques are still used for Cordovan leather in metallizing, modelling, and colouring up-to-date designs. The last pack-saddlers in the province work in Baena, where they make all sorts of different things for pack horses (headstalls, chinches, etc.) using leather and other materials. Almodóvar del Río is known for its saddlers, who likewise make chaps. Montoro is famous for its handmade shoes; also made from greased leather, there are country boots, chaps, bags, cartridge belts, pouches, and gun cases.
Gold as well as silk and silver embroidery on velvet is still available in Cordova, which is also known for its guitars. These crafts, while perhaps less known, contribute to the rich tapestry of artisanal tradition in Cordova.
Credit cards accepted
