Olari-Horezu Ceramic Center

Info

The home of Olari-Horezu ceramics is located in the valley which bears the same name, at the foot of Căpăţânii Mountains, in Vâlcea County. You can get here on the E81 from Bucharest (220 km), or DN 67 from Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Discover

The Olari-Horezu ceramic centre represents one of the oldest and most appreciated ceramic centre in Romania, its fame crossing the Romanian borders.

The pottering tradition has a long history in the area. The potters are continuing  the processing techniques of the clay extracted from the Ulmeţ Hill, located in the vicinity of Horezu. The various objects which come alive from this clay catch your eyes with their vivid colours, the most famous ones being the red and yellow Horezu.  

The special ancestral symbolism inspired by the local flora and fauna such as the wheat, the fish, the snake or the famous Horezu rooster.  These elements are key to decorating the traditional handcrafted objects. A big event of the Romanian ceramic culture is the “Ceramic Rooster of Hurez Fair” organized here every year at the beginning of June in the Secular Oak Park.

The invaluable cultural value of Horezu is partly due to the massive concentration of monasteries in this area where traditions such as handmade weaving and religious painting have been preserved  for years. If you are a fan of nature and adventure, the Buila-Vânturariţa National Park found nearby with its hiking trails, escalade and other mountain sports which can be practiced here, is the perfect choice to discover this archaic land.

Did you know?

Horezu ceramics was listed an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.

Conservation facts

The Olari-Horezu ceramic is the trademark of this region which annually attracts thousands of tourists who buy the works of the craftsmen from this area. Unfortunately, this has also led to an increase of the counterfeit phenomenon or the selling of cheap products from China or Bulgaria under the trademark Horezu.

This is why it is recommended that you should buy ceramic directly from the local craftsmen, many of them located in Olari neighborhood, 2 km from the main street in Horezu. The authentic ceramics can also be bought right outside the Horezu monastery where craftsmen from Olari can sell their products exclusively. So, please buy responsibly and make your contribution to keep this authentic tradition alive!

Weather


Wednesday
10°C

Thursday
11°C

Friday
10°C
Activities