The Pottery Factory in Sao Miguel Azores: Ceramica Vieira

When exploring the island of Sao Miguel, you can’t help but notice the beautiful signs located on buildings, churches, and street corners made of white and blue mosaic tiles. For over 150 years, a small company has been producing these signs and a wide variety of pottery and dinnerware all locally made and painted by hand. If you want to explore more, than this factory is the tour for you. You can get personalized or custom designs made with your name for your home or garden plaques etc. It truly is impressive to watch the women still working the clay machines with the delicate foot pumps. Located in Lagoa’s town just outside of Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital city, this is a place to explore the ways of old European living before the industrial revolution when many things began to be mass-produced. Here you can take part in a rich history that has always played a profound role in Azorean culture while picking up a unique gift or two. There is a small gift shop with handmade vases, tea sets, water jugs, and even jewelry, painted by hand in this historical little factory. It makes the perfect gift to bring back your loved ones or even as a keepsake for yourself to remember your trip to the Azores. All of the pottery is signed and dated on the bottom of the dish so you can always tell its authenticity and also the year it was made. Every year they come up with a new design and many collectors enjoying collecting these limited edition pieces that only are produced in small quantities. These pieces are a staple in most homes in the Azores as they are known for their durability and add a touch of Azorean flair.

Important Details: Located in Lagoa, Sao Miguel Azores Address: Rua das Alminhas nº10/12                                     Hours of Operation are as followed: 9:00 am-12:00 pm, then closed for 1 hour for lunch, then reopens at 1:00 pm-   6:00   pm daily. Founded: July 1862 and is in the same location for over 150 years, still owned and operated by the     same family.