Grottaglie reopens Ceramics Museum and artisan district

The town of Grottaglie in the province of Taranto, Italy, has reopened both the Museo della Ceramica and the historic ceramics district, key tourist and cultural landmarks. The district, located along the gravina San Giorgio, comprises 50 artisan workshops that still use traditional wheels and kilns, offering a widespread exhibition itinerary of great identity value. The museum, housed in the Castello Episcopio, displays over 500 pieces in permanent exhibition, including traditional utility ceramics, maiolica, and contemporary works. Its five sections cover daily life ceramics from the 18th to mid-20th century, nativity scenes, archaeological finds from the 7th century BCE to the 15th century CE, maiolica from the 18th–20th centuries, and contemporary ceramics from the Concorso di Ceramica Contemporanea, initiated by the municipality in 1971. Tourism assessor Mario Bonfrate noted that summer tourism has become an extraordinary economic generator, and that enthusiasm among merchants and artisans is driving recovery, with expectations of many visitors discovering the city's heritage.