If you are thinking of giving a gift for a special occasion that is high-quality and memorable, different, original, and representative of the land of Andalusia, the traditional ceramics of Granada —that is, Fajalauza ceramics— will be a perfect choice.

Used in rural homes since the 16th century, Fajalauza ceramics have evolved from being a little-appreciated Granadan craft to a sought-after treasure with character for new generations.

Nowadays, artisanal gifts are in fashion because they are unique and exclusive, offering an added value.

Fajalauza ceramics, in addition to their appeal and functionality, are entirely unique, as each piece is hand-painted, making it impossible to find two exactly alike.

The History of Fajalauza Ceramics

The first evidence of these ceramics dates back to the early 16th century, though they may have existed in the late 15th century. However, they weren’t yet called Fajalauza; instead, they carried the name of the pottery family who crafted them.

This craft was exclusively tied to the Morales family, who arrived in Granada after the Christian conquest, though their origins remain unclear. In Granada, a distinctive pottery style emerged, influenced by preexisting medieval styles from Catalonia, Teruel, Úbeda, Triana, Talavera, and others. The early Christian members of the Morales family established their workshop below the Puerta de Fajalauza, adjacent to the Albaicín walls and just above what would later become the Convent of San Antonio in 1636.

Despite the influences on this craft, what is now known as Fajalauza was already being uniquely produced at the time. Its origin is Christian, but its method is rooted in Arabic traditions. This is because it was made using Moorish kilns and techniques, reflecting a Mudéjar influence in its craftsmanship.

Hand-Painted Ceramic Pieces

Over time, the designs of this ceramic evolved, incorporating a wide variety of motifs beyond vegetal patterns: the iconic pomegranate fruit, birds, or flowers. On a single ceramic piece, multiple figures were often combined, complementing each other in brighter colors that were added to the traditional palette.

This popular ceramic is known for its blue and green motifs.

In its early days, Fajalauza ceramics stood out for their simple style, featuring white tones alternated with blues and greens.

Today, many workshops are reviving these colors and incorporating others, such as yellow and red, blending tradition with contemporary elements.

Where to Find Them

We invite you to explore our sets of traditional Fajalauza ceramics, available in a range of four colors: yellow, green, red, or blue. Perfect as gifts or for you to enjoy in your home.

• Gazpacho Andaluz Set: A set consisting of six medium bowls and one large gazpacho dish.
• Brindis Albaicín Set: A set featuring a pitcher, six glasses, and an artisanal basket.
• Desayuno Alhambra Set: A set including an olive oil bottle, two coffee mugs, two breakfast plates, and a handcrafted palm bread basket.

The Fajalauza is a popular type of pottery, originally made in the Albaicin of Granada, which is characterized by its blue or green decoration of various plant motifs.

The pottery tradition of Fajalauza ceramics dates back to 1517 (16th century), although it would not be known by that name until the first half of the 19h century.

These hand-painted ceramic pieces continued to be used for the construction and decoration of interiors (crockery) and exteriors (tile patios).

Origin and history of the Fajalauza ceramics

As we have already mentioned, the first indications of this ceramic come from the beginning of the 16th century. Although perhaps it already existed in the final years of the 15th century. However, it did not bear this name of the Fajalauza at that time, but the name of the pottery family that made it.

It was a craft linked exclusively to the Morales surname, who arrived in Granada after Christian conquest, although its origin is not known. In Granada a very particular style of pottery was born, which has remnants of the pre-existing styles during the Middle Ages in Catalonia, Teruel, Ubeda, Triana, Talavera, etc. Those first Christians of the Morales family established their workshop bellow the Fajalauza gate, attached to the very wall of Alabaicin and above what would be, from 1636, the Convent of San Antonio.

However, despite the influences that this pottery had, the one now known as Fajalauza was created at that time in a unique way. Its origin is Christian, its modus operandi is Arab. This is due to the fact that Moorish ovens were used in the elaboration of this and that the way of working it is contemplated under the Mudejar influence.

At the beginning of the elaboration of this Fajalauza pottery, it was distinguished by its simple style where white tones were used, alternating these with blue or green.

The design of this ceramic changed over time towards one where a large number of motifs abounded in addition to vegetables: the representative fruit of the pomegranate, the birds or the flowers. In the same ceramic item, several of these figures were embodied that kept the company in more vivid colours, which were added to those that had already existed before.

The process of making Fajalauza ceramics

At the beginning of the 20th century, the technique used to make this ceramic that is so characteristic in Granada was to use a wheel excavated in the ground and an Arab oven inherited from the Nasrid period. Unfortunately, this oven is already in disuse when introducing the new machinery with the arrival of electricity. Today, despite the new machinery and innovations, a completely handmade manufacturing process is still carried out.

In order to preserve this way of making Fajalauza ceramics by hand, the Fajalauza-Cecilio Morales Foundation was created. whose purpose is none other than to maintain this authentic ceramics with the Fajalauza style through its promotion and carrying out different activities such as creating a Fajalauza ceramics school.

Payoyo cheese is a type of artisanal cheese originating from the province of Cádiz, specifically from the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the town of Villaluenga del Rosario.

It comes from “the payoya goat”, an autochthonous goat breed of the Sierra de Cádiz that provides perfect milk for making such a delicious cheese. However, in recent years, the threat of extinction has led to the use of other specific breeds for its production.

Contrary to what many believe, Payoyo Cheese is a registered trademark and not a designation of origin. The correct label to identify cheeses made with Payoya goat milk is “100% Autochthonous Breed Cabra Payoya”.

Currently, different types of cheeses are made: goat cheese, sheep cheese, and cheeses made from a mixture of both milks, with variations including fresh, aged, and semi-aged. Additionally, aged cheeses can also be found wrapped in lard and rosemary, among other options.

It is possibly one of the most recognized cheeses worldwide, thanks to the numerous awards it has received, including the World Cheese Awards, which accredits it as the “best cheese in the world”.

The Payoya Goat

The quality of its milk is excellent, thanks to the significant cheese-making tradition and the improvement of milk production by farmers.

The Payoya goat is an Andalusian autochthonous breed, classified as endangered, traditionally exploited in the area of the current Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de Ronda Natural Parks, providing the livelihood for many families in the regions.

The name “Payoya” comes from the municipality of Villaluenga del Rosario, in the province of Cádiz, one of the birthplaces of the breed. However, it is also known as “Montejaqueña” after the town of Montejaque in the province of Malaga, where the breed develops.

In terms of morphology, Payoya goats are very tall and long animals, a reflection of the selection made by farmers to allow for grazing in difficult-to-access areas in the mountains.

Origin of the Payoya Breed

The precise origin of the Payoya goat is not determined, but it is supposed to be the result of the combination of the Alpine and Pyrenean stocks, influenced by the convex stock to adapt to mountainous areas.

In its formation, two fundamental elements intervene: the selective criterion applied by the farmers, almost exclusively aimed at improving milk production in grazing systems, and the particular agroclimatic characteristics of the exploitation area, with a climate of high rainfall and a difficult orography, with steep slopes. Both circumstances have favored the configuration of a very rustic goat model, of great height and length (the Payoya is the goat breed with the largest longitudinal diameter in Spain), perfectly adapted to the difficult environment in which it is exploited.