Arts and crafts are thriving in the Granada region of Andalucia thanks to the thousands of holidaymakers and travellers visiting Spain every year who discover the delights of all things Spanish.          

Spanish guitars  are the epitomy of Flamenco dancing and gypsy music,  the modern 6-string guitar was “born” in Spain along with the castanet.   The city of Granada is ONE of the centres of guitar production  and they are renowned for their excellent construction and sound quality.    

Leatherwork has  been prized in Spain since the middle ages and leather goods, produced in many areas, include purses, wallets, bags and shoes.  Throughout Andalucia saddlers make high quality tooled leather fittings as well as saddlebags, game-bags and other hunting equipment.    

Traditional pottery has lost some of it’s every day use in modern Spanish households but tiles and bricks are still in demand and widely produced and exported all over the world. Earthenware cooking pots and dishes are a cheap and popular buy for residents and holidaymakers alike and also house-name plaques and decorative bowls or dishes.  

The art of forging iron into various decorative designs is still very much alive.  In Granada metalwork techniques go back to Moorish times and the production of very decorative lamps.  Iron is mostly used for decorative gates and grills for windows and doors as well as balconies  to decorate peoples homes and has become a Spanish tradition that lasts to this day.  

Traditional rustic furniture made from local wood using traditional techniques are slowly disappearing but is still popular for its uniqueness and very much in demand.  Granada produces furniture inlaid with bone and ivory as well as gemstones using a method that goes back to it’s Arabic heritage.       

Weaving with handlooms has virtually disappeared in Andalucia except for a few looms in remote areas.  The Alpujarra region is renowned for weaving moorish-style rugs and wall tapestries as well as fabric used for curtains and upholstery known as “Alpujarreno”.       

Spanish antique furniture can still be found in all sorts of places.  Interesting pieces can often be located at  local flea-markets {rastros}, car-boot sales, small local shops, reclamation yards or even house auctions. The traditional Spanish furniture upholstered with leather and brass studs, large heavy oak doors and sideboards as well as old brass light fittings can enhance even the most modern of homes.

Written by K. Hill