Those of you who know me know about my passion for Portugal. I am lost in its people, its landscapes and its beaches, its gastronomy… but above all that delicacy that emanates in any corner of this country, embodied in the simplicity and melancholy of its music, or in the facades full of precious tiles. Not to mention its porcelain and ceramics, with unique world-famous pieces, which are undoubtedly one of the great symbols of this country.
And if you plan to visit Portugal this summer, in addition to enjoying the charm of Lisbon, Porto, or the beaches of the Algarve, there is an essential plan for any lover of decoration, beautiful tables, and porcelain and ceramics. : Make a I toured to visit the factory that Vista Alegre has near Aveirothe glass and crystal factory located in Alcobaca, and the factory of Bordallo Pinheiro in Caldas de Rainha.
Ilhavo, the town of Vista Alegre
travel to Ilhavo It is a trip to the past to know (and feel) porcelain. Near Ílhavo, the founder of the most famous company in Portugal, José Ferreira Pinto Basto, created a village in 1824 around his factory. This whole little town revolves around the porcelain firmwith the Vista Alegre factory, the museum, shops and outlets, a school, a theater, and even a church full of ceramics and which is a National Monument, the chapel of Capilla de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França.
The neighborhood in which the firm’s employees lived with their families also stands out in this town. A neighborhood in which some families of employees still live, and which stands out for its trees, for its architecture, and for that flavor of the cities of yesteryear.
A five-star hotel to relax (and immerse yourself in the Vista Alegre universe)
In this town we even have a five-star hotel to stay in on this trip to the suggestive world of Portuguese porcelain, the Montebelo Vista Alegre Hotel. The hotel, located on the banks of the Aveiro estuary, is attached to the mansion of the Ferreira Pinta Basto family. The hotel has 162 rooms in which everything has been taken care of in detail. How could it be otherwise, next to the coffee maker there are coffee and tea sets from Vista Alegre. Waking up with views of the estuary… it’s a real luxury!
The hotel has three well-differentiated areas, the New Wing and the Palace of the Founders, the Palace of the Painters, and the Vista Alegre neighborhood. Each of them, with its own environment, although always within the philosophy.
In addition, the hotel has outdoor and indoor swimming pools, spa, gym, massage room, and the possibility of carrying out different cultural activities. could not miss a restaurant in which the gastro proposals are presented in signature tablewarewith the iconic Bicos glasses from Vista Alegre as a complement to drink and toast.
The Vista Alegre factory:
Many times, until the manufacturing process of a piece of furniture or a deco piece is seen in situ, neither the price nor the laborious process of design and elaboration behind it is understood. Hence the importance of learn live how pieces like those of Vista Alegre are made.
Every year 75 million pieces come out of its historic facilities, including porcelain, crystal and glass, cutlery, without forgetting its decorative objects. Pieces that serve in embassies, royal palaces, and that are present in thousands of homes throughout the world.
During the visit to the factory, you can see the different parts of the process of making the pieces, from design to modeling, baking, or painting. In all this process, handmade craftsmanship plays a fundamental role thanks to the skill of the employees, who really are authentic artists.
For lovers of what is handmade and of quality, contemplating how the pieces are molded, or how they are painted by hand, is a unique experience. In fact, observing the delicacy with which the Vista Alegre employees paint the pieces is something hypnotic that captivates you hopelessly.
Museum: a trip to the past
Taking into account that Vista Alegre was founded in 1824, it is normal that within the town they have a museum that reviews all its historyand that contains hundreds of his historical pieces, from the foundation of the firm, to the present.
Pieces that would delight any collector who loves porcelain, and that show the evolution of the products of this firm. In the museum, in addition to admiring these unique pieces, there are also interesting elements to discover the manufacturing process, such as the original ovens that were used to bake the porcelain.
Aveiro and Costa Nova
Since we are visiting Vista Alegre, we cannot stop visiting Aveiro and Costa Nova. Aveiro is a charming Portuguese town known as the Venice of Portugal, for the canals that cross the old part of the city and where boats called moliceiros.
But beyond the area of the canals, walking through this Portuguese city is a real wonder if you like to enjoy the facades and traditional architecture, with the omnipresent tiles in churches and civil buildings. Also, you can’t stop visit Costa Nova, with its instagrammable colored houses.
Visit to the Vista Alegre glassware factory
After visiting Ílhavo and Aveiro, the next stop on our Portuguese deco route is the glass and crystal factory that Vista Alegre has in Alcobaca. In this factory, a completely handmade manufacturing process was developed that follows ancient glass molding and blowing techniques to create its glassware.
If you have never been to a glass factory, the process will seem like pure magic. The way in which the glass takes shape, the ovens, the sound, the quality controls… everything is geared so that the result of the pieces that come out of this factory is optimal.
The Bordallo Pinheiro factory, the end point of the Portuguese deco route
After visiting the Vista Alegre factories, the next stop on this deco route is the Bordallo Pinheiro factory. The factory is located in Caldas de Rainhaa spa town located in the Centro region of Portugal. In this city, one of his favorite sons is the journalist, caricaturist and potter Raphael Bordallo Pinheirocreator of Bordallo Pinheiro.
In fact, the city is full of symbols that refer to the ceramic signature. From a flock of black swallows to a façade, to a frog that pours water through its mouth into a fountain. The city council of this city created a route with giant Bordallo pottery pieces that is one of the great attractions of the town.
In the city, the Bordallo factory (acquired by Vista Alegre in 2009) is a must-see. The production methods are handmadewith hundreds of workers working and creating by hand the swallows, fruits, animals and giant pieces that have made the firm famous throughout the world.
More information | Cheerful View | Bordallo Pinheiro
In Decosphere | Color and design for your tables: Bordallo Pinheiro launches a new collection
has inspired us
- Transparent white wine glass Vista Alegre in El Corte Inglés. Price: before,
8 eurosNow after applying a 50% discount, it costs 4 euros.
Transparent white wine glass Vista Alegre
- Vista Alegre Amazon Coffee Cup and Saucer. Price in El Corte Inglés: 44 euros.
Coffee Cup with Saucer Amazonia Vista Alegre
- Vista Alegre breakfast cup with saucer by Casa de Alba. Price in El Corte Inglés: 75 euros.
Breakfast cup with saucer Vista Alegre by Casa de Alba
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