When Los Nordicos conducted a member survey in 2024, many wanted to add pottery classes to the long list of our activities.
But how would you do this without a proper workshop, teacher and all the needed implements?
Well, lucky for us, Carmen Jiménez Garrido, founded the El Altillo Cerámica in 2024. She then offered classes in pottery painting and ceramics in a small workshop at the Paseo de Altillo. Some of our members got a chance to test this. But the real excitement started in November 2025, when she opened the Almuñécar Pottery Centre at the Alfarería of Almuñecar. Ever since she moved to Almuñecar she had wished to be able to revive the historic pottery site of the city. She met with the previous ceramist Amalia, who had closed
shop during the pandemic in 2020. When the Ayuntamiento launched a bidding for the site, Carmen won the concession contract in 2025 and is since collaborating with the Ayuntamiento to promote the traditional pottery culture, while managing the workshop as a private initiative.
The Alfarería is a cultural space that preserves one of the oldest arts of Almuñecar: pottery and ceramics. Located in the heart of the Barrio San Miguel, close to the Castillo, the place combines history, heritage and creativity in a unique environment that evokes the town’s Nasrid heritage.
Pottery has been part of the Sexitano identity since Roman times, when the ancient Sexi Firmum Iulium
exported amphorae (often filled with the famous fish sauce, garum) and tableware throughout the Mediterranean. This tradition continued under the Arab rule, perfecting decorative techniques that still inspire local ceramists today.
The Centre is located against a section of the Nasrid wall, overlooking the Majuelo Park, where original openings used for drying pottery pieces are preserved. The Town Hall restored this wall carefully after the pandemic. A medieval masonry tower with stone reinforcements stands out, and within the grounds is an old kiln preserved, which might be as old as Roman times (not confirmed). It is said that it was used as a hen coop when the site had served as a home in the past! Its surroundings
were restored by the Ayuntamiento already in the 1980s. They recreated the Nasrid aesthetic with ornamental fountains, tiled benches, and carefully curated vegetation composed of aromatic plants (rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, and mint) along with rose bushes, geraniums, and fruit trees.
When Carmen took over, she brought new pottery wheels and all necessary tools and implements to the site. As a first phase she offers family and school activities, modelling, weekly ceramics classes, exhibitions, cultural events, and tailored events for individuals or groups like us, Los Nórdicos.
We have held five workshops together, so far. Carmen is a motivated teacher and professional, with over twenty years of artistic experience.Trained at the Granada School of Arts and a collaborator with institutions such as the Málaga Picasso Museum and the Faja- lauza Foundation, she leads a project that blends tradition and innovation. As a second and third phase she plans to open a shop where she can sell hers and other Andalusian ceramicists work, and then to train a new generation of local pottery makers to continue the tradition.
From June 8th to 13th the Pottery Centre will organise an exhibit with works by the students, open to the public. On the closing Saturday there will be food and music on offer. In addition, from June 1st to 19th of June Carmen will be selling her own works and those of other Andalusian traditional pottery makers. Come and enjoy!
It is fantastic to benefit from this living cul- tural attraction within Almuñécar’s heritage. Opening hours all year (closed 20-30 June): Tuesdays-Saturdays 10:00h-13:30h. Check out special activities for the summer. Whatsap: 657 073 482. Address: Calle San Crescencio, 10. Barrio de San Miguel, Almuñécar.
Associations Day 30 May
Most of Los Nórdicos members have returned to their home countries in the north over the summer. The rest of us participate in the Day of Associations on May 30th in the Majuelo Park, Almuñecar. Los Nordicos sold Swedish waffles and some of the artwork produced by our painting group. All our income will be donated to Madres Solas Marisa Sendón.
This event is organised every year by the Ayuntamiento of Almuñecar and brings together more than 40 local and international associations offering workshops, information and entertainment together. A great way to find out what civil society groups are up to – and maybe get engaged in something new.
(Feature: Los Nordicos – Pottery)
Keywords: Pottery near the Castle, Carmen Día de Las Asociaciones, Parque Majuelo, Swedish waffles, Alfarería, Carmen
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