The work of Valencia craftsmen, which is varied and quite obviously strives to be artistic, imaginative and skilful, will soon catch the traveller's eye. The oldest craft is the production of ceramics and it is therefore probably among the ones found most widely. Apart from earlier Iberian, Roman and Visigothic productions, ceramics and pottery reached a great stage of development in the times of the Muslims. Copper green and blue came to Valencia ceramics with the Reconquest, and the Paterna "socarrats", unique of their kind, in the 15C. Manises and Paterna were alternately at the head of the ceramics production. Today it is led by the former, where many factories and shops are open to the visitor, in addition to an interesting Ceramics Museum. Tabernes Blanques also has an important, internationally famous factory which should be visited. Because of its importance, the Crafts Centre of the Valencia Community (Tel. 351 30 90) deserves special mention (Address: c/ Hospital, 7).
Furniture is another important item in the chapter on the craftsman's art because there are thousands of craftsmen and hundreds of workshops working individually for the large factories which are mainly found in Alfafar, Sedavi, Benetdser, Albal and Aldaya. Wickenvork is found in Mogente and Vallada. Exquisite works of art are the hand-painted fans (abanicos; ventalls) with ribs made of ivory, exotic wood and other material from the small workshops in Valencia or Aldaya. Guitars, pipes for smoking and castanets are made in the surroundings of Valencia and Alboraya, and domino games in Chirivella. Morocco-leather articles and silk, which looks back on a period of splendour gone by, are today connected with the crafts dedicated to Las Fallas and the skill employed in making garments to celebrate Mass. The textile industry is also important, especially as regards the production of blankets around Onteniente and Bocairente and jeans, which are made in Requena or Ayora and reach every market in the world.
The art of working metal has become an industry: jewellery, fashion jewellery, silver objects, lamps... make it difficult to draw a line between the craftsman's art and industry. Printing and paper making can also contribute their share since Xativa was the first to make paper in Europe, while the first book printed in Spain was written in the tongue of Valencia. Fireworks, half art, half industry, and toy making have a long tradition in these lands, as has glass making. This short list is incomplete without the special mention of the large steel plants.
