The Majólica Technique Workshop*
In the 16th century, tiles became a central part of the buildings in Sintra. As demand grew across the country for decorative ceramic coverings, especially for churches and palaces, local workshops began to emerge, with Lisbon becoming a major center of production.
Portuguese artisans not only adopted and transformed the tile making process, they began to develop a distinctly Portuguese style, adapting the imagery to reflect religious stories, mythological scenes, and historical events that would come to define the national tile tradition. This artistic evolution reached its height in the 17th and 18th centuries, when large, figurative tile panels flourished. These works helped elevate the tile from a simple decorative element to a powerful symbol of Portugal’s cultural identity.
In this Workshop we will learn about the decorative process of tile using the traditional technique of Majólica.
Workshop Content:
- Introduction to the history of this decorative tradition and the materials you’ll be using
- Choosing and preparing your design
- Transferring the motif to the tile and hand-painting it with high‑fire pigments
The painted tiles will be taken to the Pottery Studio for firing and can be picked up later in the week.
Workshop includes all materials and firing.
*This workshop is included as part of your retreat experience – no additional cost required.
