"San Juan de Oriente" San Juan de Oriente by mircaskirca

San Juan de Oriente Travel Guide: 5 reviews and 31 photos

Famous Pottery Village

Pueblos Blancos (white villages) is a region formed from several charming little villages that sit in the hills south of Masaya. These villages got their name from their white colonial style churches and occasional white casitas with colourful doors and windows. Each town is known for different handicraft, from pottery, bamboo furniture, rocking chairs and leather work. Visiting the pueblos is an easy day trip from Masaya, as well as from Granada or Managua.

Located in the shadow of the volcano Masaya is San Juan de Oriente, a small village of over 4.000 people, famous for its pottery. The village itself consists of about ten blocks, leaning down a long hill and anchored by a blue, restored, 16th century church. The main entrance of the town is marked by a series of colourful souvenir shops with little chimes hanging outside, where different kind of fascinating clay art is exhibited. As you explore the town you will see houses filled with pottery as well as what seems to be little shops where the ceramics is made. Today approximately 85% of the population is involved in this important tradition, either processing the clay, turning, decorating or firing the potttery, and marketing. The excellence of San Juan de Oriente pottery has gained worldwide recognition and a visit of one of the humble workshops is a rewarding experience for any lover of ceramics.

San Juan de Oriente - San Juan de Oriente

Last visit to San Juan de Oriente: Dec 2010
Intro Updated Mar 7, 2011
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (4)

Most Delicious Rellenitas de Queso - San Juan de Oriente

Most Delicious Rellenitas de Queso Restaurants (1)

After visiting several pottery shops along the main street, leaning from the entrance to the village down a long hill,... more travel advice

Famous San Juan de Oriente Pottery - San Juan de Oriente

Famous San Juan de Oriente Pottery Local Customs (1)

Nicaraguan pottery and ceramics have a long tradition. Pottery making has been in San Juan de Oriente since... more travel advice

A Visit to Pottery Shops - San Juan de Oriente

A Visit to Pottery Shops Things to Do (1)

A stroll through the San Juan de Oriente reveals a charming village, one that has built its reputation on the production... more travel advice

the bus from Granada to San Juan de Oriente - San Juan de Oriente

From Granada to Pueblos Blancos Transportation (1)

One day Petra and I made a very nice trip from Granada to Pueblos Blancos and Laguna de Apoyo. We took a chicken bus... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 3, 2011

6 photos

Local People

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (5)

Reply
- Report abuse
Gili_S May 18, 2011 at 7:39 AM

That in did look like interesting and great snack, glad you did get something in the end :)
Reply
- Report abuse
MalenaN Apr 14, 2011 at 10:39 AM

San Juan de Oriente looks to be bussier during your visit than when I was there. Saw lots of beautiful pottery, but only bought a jar for my sister, in the same design that were sold 20 years ago in Nicaragua.
Reply
- Report abuse
picek Mar 16, 2011 at 6:26 AM

Mmmm... ta koruzni kruhek mi je kar zadisal, ko sem prebrala tvoj zapis. Skoda le, da bi ponj morala do Nikaragve :) Zanimivo loncarsto, gotovo ne bodo pozabili tradicije in je spustili iz rok (upam!), da se izgubi nekje v povprecju globalizacije.
Reply
- Report abuse
Trekki Mar 11, 2011 at 11:56 PM

Rellenitas.... oh yum!!! Haha, I wouldn't need an extra suitcase but a plane!! I loved these windchimes already in Colombia and these are extra special :-) So that is Nicaragua's Raquira?
Reply
- Report abuse
willy_wonka Mar 9, 2011 at 4:08 PM

if i ever came here i'd have to bring an extra suitcase - my mother loves pottery, and i try to buy her a piece if i find any. nice little page mira!