Hand-Pressing Terracotta Roof Tiles

The experience

You'll spend two days at Sebastião's small clay pit and kiln near Sao Jose de Areal, kneading clay to the right consistency and pressing it over a wooden mould-form the way his grandfather did. He'll show you the wood-stoked kiln that gives his tiles their traditional uneven curve, and if timing allows, you'll watch a firing in progress. It's slow, earthy work that ends with a tile you shaped yourself.

Why this matters

Mangalore-style terracotta tiles define the sloped roofline of every traditional Goan-Portuguese house, and small hand-operated kilns like Sebastião's are increasingly rare as factory tile production takes over.

Cultural background

Terracotta roof tiles have topped Goan homes since the colonial era, traditionally hand-pressed over wooden moulds and fired in wood-stoked kilns local to specific clay-rich villages.

Meet the practitioner

We're still verifying a practitioner for this experience — check back soon.

Schedule

Gallery

Sebastião pressing clay over the mould-form

Rows of tiles drying before firing

Wood-stoked kiln mid-firing

Photographs from this experience will replace these panels once available.

Before you arrive

• · Wear clothes you don't mind getting clay on
• · Bring a hat, part of the work happens near the outdoor kiln
• · Closed-toe shoes recommended around the clay pit

Frequently asked

What people say