La Rajoleta Ceramics Museum

The Museu de Ceràmica in Barcelona, founded in 1966, is an institution that has played a fundamental role in the preservation and promotion of Spanish and international ceramic art. Originally located in the Palau de Pedralbes, the museum closed its doors in 2013 to transfer its collections to the new headquarters of the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona, inaugurated in 2014. The collection of the Museu de Ceràmica covers a vast time span, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, and offers a complete overview of the evolution of ceramics in Spain and beyond. One of the most important sections of the collection is dedicated to Spanish ceramics, divided into various sub-sections by region and historical period. The ceramics of al-Ándalus, dating back to the 10th-15th centuries, are particularly relevant for their advanced decorative techniques, such as the use of metallic oxides and the cuerda seca technique. The Mudéjar period, from the 15th to the 16th century, is characterized by intricate and symmetrical decorations that combine Christian and Islamic influences. Valencian ceramics are another significant part of the collection, with pieces from the production centers of Paterna and Manises. These places are known for their glazed ceramics and polychrome dishes with metallic reflections, which reached their peak between the 13th and 19th centuries. Aragonese ceramics, with its famous green and manganese pieces from Teruel, are also well represented. In addition to Spanish ceramics, the museum houses a wide range of ceramics from other parts of the world, offering a global view of this ancient art. The contemporary collection includes works by modern artists who have reinterpreted traditional techniques in an innovative way, showing how ceramics continue to be a vital and evolving art form. The building that housed the museum, the Palau de Pedralbes, is itself an architectural masterpiece. Built between 1922 and 1924, it was originally a royal residence and represents a significant example of Catalan neoclassical architecture. The palace gardens, designed by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí, are an oasis of tranquility that reflects the elegance and grandeur of the building. The decision to transfer the Museu de Ceràmica to the new building of the Museu del Disseny at Plaça de les Glòries was part of a broader urban and cultural redevelopment project. This new museum complex brings together under one roof the collections of four previous museums: the Museum of Ceramics, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Textiles and Clothing, and the Cabinet of Graphic Arts. This unification has allowed for the creation of a multifunctional cultural center dedicated to design and applied arts, offering visitors an integrated and multidisciplinary view of decorative arts. An interesting anecdote about the Museum of Ceramics concerns the “Chocolatada,” a ceramic panel from 1710 depicting a convivial scene of people enjoying hot chocolate. This work, made in Barcelona, is an exceptional example of decorative ceramics that combine art and daily life, offering a glimpse into the culture and social habits of the time.