Buongiorno Ceramica!

Buongiorno Ceramica! in the village of Castelli

Buongiorno Ceramica! is the major national ceramic festival organized by the AiCC - Italian Association of Cities of Ceramics, which every year, on the last weekend of May, involves dozens of cities with a ceramic tradition across Italy. Among these is Castelli, a small village in the province of Teramo, in the heart of Abruzzo, recognized worldwide for its majolica.

A village that is a capital of majolica

Castelli, perched at the foot of Monte Camicia and the Gran Sasso massif, is one of the most illustrious names in Italian ceramics. Its tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when a community of monks began a flourishing production using local clay. During the Renaissance, the Pompei workshop transformed local production into an original artistic expression, and in the following centuries, the Grue, Gentile, and Fuina dynasties made Castelli majolica famous in courts throughout Europe. The ceiling of the church of San Donato, a 17th-century masterpiece, is known as the "Sistine Chapel of Italian Majolica".

What happens during the festival

During the two days of Buongiorno Ceramica!, the village transforms into an open-air museum. The initiatives are designed for all ages and create a dialogue between centuries-old tradition and contemporary experimentation:

• Open workshops with artisans at work in the village streets
• Ceramic workshops for adults and children, from modeling to the Raku technique
• Widespread art exhibitions and displays
• Free tastings of typical local products
• Guided tours of monuments with young guides
• Urban trekking and wandering music through the alleys

Not to be missed in Castelli

The Castelli Ceramics Museum, housed in the 17th-century convent of the Frati Minori Osservanti on Via Salita Paradiso, holds the Civic Collection of majolica and traces the history of Castelli production from its origins to the present day. Next to the museum, the F.A. Grue Art School, heir to the historic art school founded in 1906, keeps the transmission of ceramic knowledge alive. A visit to the village is completed by the church of San Donato and the numerous workshops that continue to produce the famous majolica by hand.

A festival for the whole community

Buongiorno Ceramica! is not just a showcase for enthusiasts: it is a moment of celebration for the entire Municipality of Castelli and for Abruzzo, highlighting the deep bond between ancient artisanal knowledge and the territory that preserves it. Admission to the initiatives spread throughout the village is free, in a welcoming atmosphere that makes the event suitable for families, curious visitors, and art lovers alike.