Pots, plates, cups, stupendous items to embellish your own house. Discover the fantastic heritage of ceramics craftsmanship Made in Montottone.
There are places that stand out for their history, unforgettable places full of unique attractions to discover, and others that leave an indelible mark over time with their cultural, food and wine and handmade specialties. But what if there was a place with all this?
The good news is that it really exists and is located in Le Marche, in the beautiful province of Fermo. Its name is Montottone, the ancient Mons Actonis, a picturesque medieval town in the hills that has managed to transform craftsmanship into something more than a simple economic activity, so much so that it has earned the lovely nickname of lu paese de li coccià, the village of potters.
A popular acknowledgment that rewards centuries of tradition and quality in ceramics craftsmanship, the pride of Montottone and the cornerstone of the cultural and territorial identity for entire generations of master artisans. Simple people, but who thanks to their skilled hands have made their profession a true art of excellence, the most authentic soul of the town.
Ceramics craftsmanship in Montottone: centuries of history, art and beauty
The craftsmanship culture of Montottone has very ancient origins, and its roots date back deeply in the history of Marca Fermana. It’s still unknown exactly who, how and when brought this precious and refined art right here, in this thriving castle in the heart of the region of Fermo; however, some historical sources trace the first evidence of the practice of ceramics craftsmanship back to a time between 1200 and 1300.
A historical period that was certainly not a coincidence, in which Montottone experienced total and constant growth, even to the point of competing in the following centuries with its provincial capital for hegemony in this territory with a magical atmosphere. And if there’s something that history has taught us, it is that very often art and power have represented a perfect combination.
But here, in Montottone, the art of creative clay processing has continued, overcoming the barriers of history and fights for power, surviving over the centuries until today as a pillar of local culture and tradition, that aims at beauty.
A beauty that risked disappearing forever in the mid-1900’s, when the desolation left by the wars, with the resulting difficulties, forced thousands of people to abandon their homeland in search of fortune elsewhere, generating a significant depopulation. Only a few artisan workshops remained here, working hard for the physical and moral reconstruction of the town and its people. Among these, that of the master potters of the Bozzi family stands out, inextricably bound to the tradition of artisan processing of these fine ceramics.
Ceramics craftsmanship in Montottone: how to create a masterpiece?
In an increasingly technological world, where modernity runs fast and we grasp for the past to keep alive the memory of our own origins, ceramics craftsmanship is still one of those precious forms of art risking extinction.
An art that encompasses the memory of our roots, that makes us feel like home, that manifests itself every time the hands of a master potter give life to an object, with all its different sensations and hues - and not just from a color point of view.
This is indeed the purest magic of craftsmanship: uniqueness. Each handmade piece, whether it’s a vase, a plate, a cup, or a beautiful ornament for your house, is unique and unrepeatable exactly like the signature of the artisan; thus, each object tells its own story, conveys its own emotions.
Montottone, a capital for ceramics craftsmanship, which boasts a market of enthusiasts extending throughout Europe and even in the United States, is certainly one of those places where the formula for creating masterpieces is still preserved today.
The creation of Montottone artisan ceramics meticulously follows a traditional manufacturing process, combining manual skills with creativity. The fundamental starting point is the selection of clay, a raw material extracted locally from the vast and rich lands near the rivers Tenna, Ete and Aso, rigorously subjected to manual treatment and modeling with the help of a pedal-powered lathe, before proceeding to the drying phase, the application of natural glazes to give color and finish, and then to the final firing to refine the shine and resistance of the ceramic.
How wonderful, isn't it? After all, what can be found out at the artisans studios in Montottone is an authentic formula of beauty; a beauty that proudly challenges the future, once again affirming itself as the essence of the cultural identity of this land.
Strolling around Montottone, where craftsmanship knocks door by door
Strolling around the historic centre of Montottone, by the way, you can notice a truly evocative and interesting peculiarity, something that distinguishes this village making it special. If you’re wondering what it is, try to take a look carefully at the doors of homes and buildings within its picturesque alleys.
The ceramics craftsmanship, here in Montottone, always finds truly surprising ways to reveal all its refinement, especially where few expect it. In fact, all the house numbers in the historic centre are small ceramic masterpieces painted on beautiful plaques that picture the colors and heraldic animal of each of the historic districts of the town!
Here's how to recognize them all: Eschito (horse), Forche di Tenna (bull), Monte Roso (squirrel), Pisciarello (fox), San Pietro Martire (crab), San Lorenzo (dragon), Trescio (snake).
Craftsmanship and education in Montottone: the Museum of Artisan Ceramics
In addition to the artisan studios, obviously, to visit within the walls of the medieval hamlet, one of the unmissable attractions to relive the charm of craftsmanship Made in Montottone and the ancient profession of the potter is the Museum of Artisan Ceramics. It is located at the “G. Perlasca” Middle School, in the modern side of the town.
The museum hall houses and exhibits beautiful examples of terracotta and ceramic objects, including an interesting collection of original professional work tools used until the 1960s - and who knows, maybe some master potters still use them!
The museum includes a laboratory section, a space to learn and experiment with knowledge and clay processing techniques. During the school year, the museum also organizes numerous visits by school groups from the province for educational and recreational purposes: a very important opportunity to let children and teenagers know and love this precious art, preserving it from the constant threat of decline related to progress.
The art of ceramics: when craftsmanship turns into twinning
The ceramics craftsmanship for Montottone, however, is not only a source of identity and cultural pride to safeguard over time, but also a beautiful practice of peace, union and fraternity. In fact, these values are the basics of the deep and significant twinning with the German village of Kohren-Sahlis, in Saxony, which shares with lu paese de li coccià the fine artisan passion for ceramics.
The twinning between the two towns was officially signed in September 1998, following the invitation of the European Union to promote solid and long-lasting international relations between the municipalities of the member states, based on shared traditions and customs.
Montottone and Kohren-Sahlis together made the story of a successful twinning, a true and constant cultural exchange that over the years has involved local institutions, respective artists and artisans and, above all, the citizens from both villages. An example of this is the cheerful Montoktoberfest, the classic German-style beer festival that every year, in October, colors Montottone with brotherhood and happiness.
It’s certainly one of the most exciting opportunities to set off for Le Marche and visit the picturesque village of potters, ready to welcome you to enjoy a fantastic adventure with its extraordinary craftsmanship heritage!
