Nativity Scene at Garagoss pottery

A few kilometres from Luxor is the village of Garagoss. While the main industry in the countryside around Luxor is agriculture, Garagoss specialises in making pottery.

In 1955, two French Jesuits founded the pottery, and built the domed pottery according to plans by Hassan Fathy, perhaps the most famous Egyptian architect who is better known outside Egypt than within. http://www.hassanfathy.webs.com/ The Franciscans trained some of the village youth in the art of pottery making and now Garagoss pottery is well known throughout the Western world.

Garagos lead-free pottery is characterized by turquoise, blue, and gray glazing with subtle green and yellow tones, features antique designs of fish, birds and the ankh and is produced from the same red Aswan silt which the pharaohs used for their pottery.

As well as crockery, the pottery produces ornamental pieces, and as the workers are all Coptic Christians, they produce religious works, like this nativity scene.

Unfortunately, since 1997 until recently, tourists were unable to visit the pottery due to the security situation. Now it is easy to visit, and for visitors wishing to see something different, it is well worth a visit - if only to watch the potter at his wheel.