One of the unique assets of Crete is the still strong position of local crafts, in particular furriery, leather and, of course, pottery. During your stay in Crete, the products of this last branch of craft can be found practically at every step. Near almost every house you can see huge clay pots, which nowadays are most often used as pots. If you want to see how these great clay pots are made, plan a trip to the village of Thrapsano ( Θραψανό ), about 30 kilometers away from Heraklion . It is next to Margerites, one of the most well-known villages, where today traditional Cretan ceramics are made.
Thrapsano is a small town inhabited by slightly over 2,500 people, the vast majority of whom currently live from agriculture. The dominant field crops are olive trees and vines. And although this region is also known for growing flowers, mainly carnations, it is the age-old tradition of pottery that determines the uniqueness of this village. Until recently, the majority of Thrapsano residents maintained their jobs.
In the old days, during the summer, pottery tradesmen left their native village, to stop at various places in Crete in temporary workshops, to perform famous pitas. It was these handicraft expeditions called Ventema that made Thrapsano famous almost all over Crete. Since the end of the 1940s, this tradition is no longer cultivated, as modern workshops that are equipped with modern ovens put much greater demands on location. Despite the changes associated with the technique of drying and burning pitos, the method of forming is still the same. And although the potter's wheel is already most often rotated by means of an electric motor, the most important are the skills, knowledge and experience of the potter.
Most of the factories located in Trapsano are companies in which the craft tradition has been passed down from several generations from father to son. Imported ceramics pose a considerable threat to the currently operating workshops. The Chinese products, whose price is very competitive with local products, constitute a particularly serious threat. The fate of Greek potters and tourists, which we highly recommend visiting in Thrapsano, will decide about the fate of potters from Thrapsano.
I particularly recommend the Michalis Houlakis plant, where under the supervision of the owner you can try your hand at this craft. An unquestionable attraction is also the opportunity to see a real professional in action.
Michalis Houlakis at the potter's wheel
Thrapsano is located about 30 kilometers south of Heraklion . Due to the fairly dense network of local roads located in this part of Crete, access to this town is possible in several ways. Depending on the direction of arrival, you can choose one of many roads. I suggest, however, pay attention to signposts because in this region of Crete roads are now often modernized and rebuilt, so you can easily go astray. Of course, the most recent map or navigation with reliable data on the local road network may be helpful.
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Dozens of craft workshops located in this small mountain village make Margarites one of the four main centers where traditional Cretan ceramics are made.
International airport. Nikos Kazantzakis in Heraklion is currently the largest airport in Crete.
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The date of the foundation of Moni Arkadiou (Arkadi) is not exactly known. According to tradition, the name of this church refers to the name of the Emperor Arkadiusz, who supposedly was to be its founder.
The date of the foundation of Moni Arkadiou (Arkadi) is not exactly known. According to tradition, the name of this church refers to the name of the Emperor Arkadiusz, who supposedly was to be its founder.
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Thrapsano is a small town inhabited by slightly over 2,500 people, the vast majority of which until recently maintained their activity as a potter.
Skinaria is a small beach located along a small bay, whose outlet on both sides ends with a rocky coast. It is still a little-known place overlooked by mass tourism
Skinaria is a small beach located along a small bay, whose outlet on both sides ends with a rocky coast. It is still a little-known place overlooked by mass tourism
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Tripiti is a small beach covered with a mixture of gray sand, gravel and stones. Despite the fact that the beach is unorganized and has a semi-natural appearance, one small tavern works here.
Tripiti is a small beach covered with a mixture of gray sand, gravel and stones. Despite the fact that the beach is unorganized and has a semi-natural appearance, one small tavern works here.
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Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
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Although there are countless caves in Crete, only a few can be visited. Sfendoni is the largest cave open to the public. content comes from: http://www.crete.pl www.CRETE.pl
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Margarites at every step does not let you forget about what the inhabitants live with. Even trees seem to bear here pots that hang picturesquely from branches. It is in this peculiar way that one of the craft workshops advertises its products. After visiting the Margarites, our luggage was enriched by a good few kilos of pottery. Although products from this village can be bought practically all over Crete, it is only here that you will find less-known, though equally beautiful, patterns. Despite its popularity, Margarites has preserved its authentic Greek atmosphere, so it is worth taking a walk along the main street, which is simply flooded with local potter's products.
Komentarze
komentarz z
Piękne, chciałabym wiele takich waz i donic ale jak je przewieść do Polski
komentarz z
Chyba inaczej niż własnym samochodem nie da się. Każda z nich ma swoją wagę, ale fakt są niezwykle piękne i na każdej z nich widać dotyk dłoni właściciela Pottery Art Houlakis :)
Bez przesady - żyjemy w czasach powszechnie dostępnych i coraz tańszych usług kurierskich - w podobnym warsztacie we Włoszech widziałem ogłoszenie "wysyłamy na cały świat" i koszt wysyłki do Polski był całkiem przystępny - kilkanaście euro. Za sam koszt promu wyślesz pewnie kilkanaście takich naczyń - no chyba ze Grecja ma jakieś straszne cenniki - ale w końcu to są firmy światowe i nie powinny mieć rażąco odbiegających cen w różnych krajach.
Wysyłając takie donice z Krety nie unikniesz jednak transportu samolotem albo promem a to podbija cenę przewozu i samej donicy. Druga kwestia to wytrzymałość tych pitosów na polskie mrozy. Z naszego doświadczenia wynika niestety że wystawienie takiej kreteńskiej donicy do ogrodu czy na balkon powoduje że po zimie nie ma czego zbierać, bo glina się rozsypuje w drobny mak.
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