CONDEIXA-A-NOVA

If the Neolithic marked the beginning of ceramics in our territory, the current municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova was pioneer in its use and production, as attested by the so-called “Vase of Casével”, the product of a fortuitous find, in 1979, in Casével, in the parish of Ega. Today, it is the symbol of the Museum PO.RO. S. – Roman Portugal in Sicó. It is possible to state the existence during the Roman period of local ceramics productions, connected to olive oil and wine, on a scale sufficient to reduce the importation of these goods from other parts of the empire.

Local geology has also made a fundamental contribution to the existence over time of this industry and its particularity in the municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova, on a larger or smaller scale. This was the source of inspiration for many artisans who created their art in our municipality. It was in the 1960s that workshops and factories were founded here, producing the so-called Conímbriga ceramics, with particular attention being given to hand painted pieces. The shapes and motifs are based on models of 16th to 18th century faience that were in the Machado de Castro Museum. These were already replicated in Coimbra since the 1930s.

Nuno Moita da Costa

Nuno Moita da Costa

Mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF CONDEIXA-A-NOVA

Ceramics is therefore a strong element of identity among the people of this community, many of them artists or descendants of artisans, all certainly ambassadors of this art. Today the Industrial Area Park is a more diversified production area, with several units mainly dedicated to exports.

In 2017, the Pousada de Condeixa hosted the Colloquium entitled “The hand and the clay”, a meeting of ideas and perspectives of entrepreneurs, academics, artists, municipal authorities, and other participants. From this discussion emerged the idea of the current and future vitality of our ceramics industry and the creation of the Centre for the Development of Ceramic Culture. It was precisely from the purpose of modernising and innovating the ceramics industry that the “Condeixa Criativa” Centre was created, based in the old “Cerâmica de Conímbriga” factory. This aims to be a launching point for entrepreneurial projects in the artistic and cultural area, founded on the traditional roots of ceramics in Condeixa.

The entry of Condeixa-a-Nova to the Portuguese Association of Cities and Villages of Ceramics (APTCVC) is another step in this dynamic of memory preservation, based on the strengthening and modernization of the sector, so intrinsically linked to the citizens of this municipality.

Nuno Moita da Costa
Mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova

APTCVC Representatives

Presidente Nuno Moita da Costa - Condeixa-a-Nova

Mayor Nuno Moita da Costa, Condeixa-a-Nova