Museo de Alfarería de Quart

Museo de Alfarería de Quart (known in Catalan as Museu de la Terrissa de Quart) is a museum dedicated to the pottery tradition of Quart, a town in the Gironès comarca, Girona province, Catalonia. It opened its doors on March 27, 2011, and since then has documented seven centuries of ceramic production in the area.

Where is the museum located and how was it created?

The museum occupies the site of a former tile and brick factory, Can Ginesta, founded in 1926. Plans to build the museum began in 2004, and the project took shape across three local government terms, funded jointly by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Diputació de Girona, and European Community funds. Construction proceeded in stages: first the old factory hall was restored, then the adjoining porch was renovated, and finally a new building was added, linked to the historic structure by a footbridge. As a result, contemporary architecture now sits directly alongside the town's industrial heritage.

Why is Quart significant for Catalan ceramics?

Pottery-making in Quart has documented roots stretching back to the 14th century — the earliest records mention a local potters' guild, the Cofraria dels Ollers. That craft continuity, spanning roughly seven hundred years, forms the backbone of the museum's programming. Local potters traditionally worked with two types of clay: terra fumada, a black clay fired using a distinctive smoking technique, and terra vermella, a red clay. These two methods gave Quart's pottery a recognizable local identity, setting it apart from ceramics produced in other Catalan pottery centers.

What can visitors see inside?

The permanent exhibition guides visitors through the history, production process, and historical trade routes of Quart's pottery — from raw clay, through shaping and firing, to the sale of finished pieces. The museum also has space reserved for temporary exhibitions, a multipurpose room used for workshops and educational events, and interactive stations designed to introduce potters' techniques to younger visitors as well. This combination turns the museum into both a classic exhibition space and an active center for regional craft education.

Who should visit?

The museum suits visitors interested in craft traditions, the history of ceramic industry, and industrial-heritage architecture — the former tile factory is itself a notable example of an old building repurposed for a new function. It also makes a good stop for families thanks to the interactive elements of the exhibition, and for travelers exploring the Gironès comarca who want to discover traditions beyond the city of Girona itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Museo de Alfarería de Quart located? The museum is in the town of Quart, in the Gironès comarca of Girona province, housed in the former Can Ginesta tile factory building dating from 1926.

When did the museum open? It officially opened on March 27, 2011, following a project launched in 2004 and funded in part by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Diputació de Girona.

How long is the pottery tradition in Quart? It dates back to the 14th century — the earliest references concern the local potters' guild, the Cofraria dels Ollers, giving the craft roughly seven hundred years of continuous history.

What techniques characterize Quart's pottery? Local artisans traditionally worked mainly with black clay (terra fumada) and red clay (terra vermella), which gave the town's pottery its distinctive local character.