BLACK POTTERY of BIZALHAES

   One of the singularities of the pottery of Bizalhães is the black colour of it’s crockery. The Secret lies in the oven and the backing methods. “ The Oven is a hole opened on the ground , where the pieces are put on a grate, which is pushed through the opening. Underneath, the firewood is kept crackling. In order to cook the items completely, a layer of burning pine-wood is placed over the crockery “

To prevent the release of fumes, the handmade oven is overlaid with a layer of pine needle , moss and earth . Here lies the secret. “ If the oven was wasn’t covered , the crockery would become red “ Twenty four hours are needed for the baking to succeed

These traditional ovens are already very few being only four in use