Museo de Alfarería (Agost)

Museo de Alfarería, in the small town of Agost near Alicante, tells the story of pottery making, a craft that shaped the local economy for generations. What sets this museum apart is that it occupies a genuine former ceramics factory, so visitors walk through the actual production site rather than a reconstruction.

Where is the museum located?

The museum sits on Calle Teulería 11, right in Agost, about a 20-minute drive from Alicante. The street name itself is no coincidence — the area has long been associated with pottery production, and "Teulería" directly references the craft.

What is the history behind it?

The building dates back to 1902, when local businessman Severino Torregrosa opened it as a ceramics factory. The museum itself came much later: it was founded in 1981 by German ethnologist Ilse Schütz, who ran it privately and covered its costs for nineteen years. In March 2000, the Agost town council took over staffing and upkeep, turning it into the publicly run museum it is today, open to tourists and school groups alike.

What will you see inside?

The main draw is authenticity. Several rooms still contain the original early-20th-century production installations: an Arab-style kiln used for firing pottery, and clay sedimentation pools where raw clay was purified before shaping. Alongside these, the museum displays everyday ceramic objects made in Agost over the past two centuries — jugs, bowls, and household vessels — plus potter's wheels and traditional tools. There is also a specialized library on ceramics and a collection of objects with iconographic value that help trace how the craft evolved over the decades.

Can visitors try pottery themselves?

Yes, and it's one of the features that makes this museum stand out among ethnographic collections. The museum runs hands-on clay workshops where participants shape their own piece using different types of clay and techniques historically practiced in Agost. For those who want to explore beyond the museum walls, there's also the "Ruta de la Alfarería," a walking route through sites around town connected to the pottery tradition.

How much does it cost and how do you get in touch?

Admission is modest: a standard ticket costs €2.50, children under 10 enter free, and groups of at least 10 people pay €2 per person. For visits, workshop bookings, or general questions, the museum can be reached by email at museo@agost.es or by phone at 965 691 199.

When is the best time to visit?

Agost is a quiet town without heavy tourist traffic, so the museum can generally be visited year-round without crowds. It's still worth checking opening hours in advance or calling ahead, since as a small municipal museum its schedule is set by the town council and may shift around public holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Is the museum housed in the original factory building? Yes. It occupies an authentic ceramics factory from 1902, which still preserves an Arab-style kiln and clay sedimentation pools.

Who founded the museum and when? It was founded in 1981 by German ethnologist Ilse Schütz, who ran it herself until 2000, when the Agost town council took over.

Can visitors make pottery on-site? Yes, the museum offers hands-on clay workshops, and there's also the "Ruta de la Alfarería" walking route covering pottery-related sites in town.

How much is admission? A standard ticket is €2.50, children under 10 enter free, and groups of 10 or more pay €2 per person.