Pottery and Cultural Tourism: reflections on Alentejo-Portugal case

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to bring some reflections on the potter’s spatial production from Alentejo tourist destination. The presented facts highlight that we are facing one of the major identity elements of these populations, the folk potter art. Thus, the geographical linkage of this article has the cities of Évora, Redondo, Viana do Alentejo, Estremoz and the village of São Pedro do Corval (Reguengos de Monsaraz) as an analysis scale. Methodologically, the starting point of analysis is related to a “model with elements that characterize potteries and potters from Alentejo tourism destination”, setting the piece of mud at the center of debate. For the development of this text, the bibliographical study, the use of inquiries, field work, informal conversations recorded in a diary and the obtaining of photographic material were essential. Finally, the article shows who the potters are in the international tourist destination, pointing out the profile of these subjects as a result.