| The work of Valencia craftsmen,
which is varied and quite obviously strives to be artistic, imaginative
and skilful, will soon catch the traveller's eye. The oldest craft is the
production of ceramics and it is therefore probably among the ones found
most widely. Apart from earlier Iberian, Roman and Visigothic productions,
ceramics and pottery reached a great stage of development in the times
of the Muslims. Copper green and blue came to Valencia ceramics with the
Reconquest, and the Paterna "socarrats", unique of their kind, in the 15C.
Manises and Paterna were alternately at the head of the ceramics production.
Today it is led by the former, where many factories and shops are open
to the visitor, in addition to an interesting Ceramics Museum. Tabernes
Blanques also has an important, internationally famous factory which should
be visited. Because of its importance, the Crafts Centre of the Valencia
Community (Tel. 351 30 90) deserves special mention (Address: c/ Hospital,
7).
Furniture is another important
item in the chapter on the craftsman's art because there are thousands
of craftsmen and hundreds of workshops working individually for the large
factories which are mainly found in Alfafar, Sedavi, Benetdser, Albal and
Aldaya. Wickenvork is found in Mogente and Vallada. Exquisite works of
art are the hand-painted fans (abanicos; ventalls) with ribs made of ivory,
exotic wood and other material from the small workshops in Valencia or
Aldaya. Guitars, pipes for smoking and castanets are made in the surroundings
of Valencia and Alboraya, and domino games in Chirivella. Morocco-leather
articles and silk, which looks back on a period of splendour gone by, are
today connected with the crafts dedicated to Las Fallas and the skill employed
in making garments to celebrate Mass. The textile industry is also important,
especially as regards the production of blankets around Onteniente and
Bocairente and jeans, which are made in Requena or Ayora and reach every
market in the world.
The art of working metal
has become an industry: jewellery, fashion jewellery, silver objects, lamps...
make it difficult to draw a line between the craftsman's art and industry.
Printing and paper making can also contribute their share since Xativa
was the first to make paper in Europe, while the first book printed in
Spain was written in the tongue of Valencia. Fireworks, half art, half
industry, and toy making have a long tradition in these lands, as has glass
making. This short list is incomplete without the special mention of the
large steel plants. |
