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In the heart of the historic village of Evoramonte, just steps from its castle and streets that preserve centuries of Alentejo memory, lies Celeiro Comum, a craft shop that is also a place of cultural preservation and artistic creation.
With more than two decades of history, Celeiro Comum has become a reference point for the promotion and appreciation of regional craftsmanship. As a member of the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Partner Network, the space represents a natural connection between cultural heritage, local identity and the wider experience of the territory.
Managed by the Lopes family, Celeiro Comum is a place where traditional craftsmanship comes to life through the hands of its creators. Here work José Lopes (father and son) and Inocência Lopes, a certified artisan producing the renowned Estremoz Clay Figures, one of Portugal’s most important traditional crafts.
More than a shop, Celeiro Comum functions as a small open workshop where visitors can observe the creative process and discover pieces that tell the stories of Alentejo’s culture and everyday life.
A Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The Estremoz Clay Figures represent a tradition with more than three centuries of history, dating back at least to the 17th century. These small clay sculptures depict saints, popular characters, scenes of daily life and elements of rural Alentejo culture, combining manual modelling, vibrant colours and expressive forms.
In 2017, this craft was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting not only the objects themselves but also the knowledge passed down through generations of artisans.
Each figure is handcrafted using traditional techniques, shaping clay through spheres, coils and slabs, before being fired, painted and finished with varnish, resulting in unique pieces that reflect the cultural identity of the Alentejo.
Certified Artisan of the Estremoz Clay Figures
At Celeiro Comum, the work of Inocência Lopes plays a central role in preserving this tradition. A native of Evoramonte, she belongs to the select group of artisans officially certified to produce Estremoz Clay Figures, a recognition granted by the Municipality of Estremoz to creators who respect the traditional techniques and iconography of this art.
Her training included a specialised course dedicated to traditional production techniques at the Interpretative Centre of the Estremoz Clay Figures, where she deepened her knowledge of modelling, painting and figurative composition.
In her pieces, Inocência Lopes recreates the classic figures of this tradition—such as devotional images, nativity scenes, or characters from everyday rural life—while also introducing compositions inspired by the culture and traditions of the Alentejo, thereby contributing to the continuity and renewal of this artistic heritage.
Among her creations stands out the Darkonauta, a unique clay figure developed for Dark Sky® Alqueva. This piece represents a replica of the astronaut suit displayed at the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, symbolically connecting the traditional craftsmanship of Alentejo with the contemporary dimension of the territory linked to astronomy and astrotourism.
Beyond clay figures, Celeiro Comum also presents a carefully curated selection of regional crafts, including cork objects, traditional ceramics, decorative pieces and products that reflect the cultural identity of Alentejo.
Each object reveals a deep relationship with the territory, its materials and local traditions, transforming a visit to the shop into a genuine discovery of Alentejo culture.
In a welcoming and authentic atmosphere, visitors are invited to step inside, speak with the artisans and observe the creative process, making every visit a meaningful cultural encounter.
Located within the Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, the historic village of Evoramonte offers a setting where heritage, landscape and culture come together. In this context, Celeiro Comum represents an authentic stop for visitors wishing to discover the most genuine expressions of Alentejo craftsmanship.
Between the quiet streets of the village, the vast landscapes of the plains and the deep night sky of the Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, hand-shaped clay reveals stories, memories and characters that belong to the identity of this land.
At Celeiro Comum, each piece is more than an object, it is a fragment of Alentejo culture transformed into art, where tradition and imagination meet beneath the same vast sky that inspires the Dark Sky® Alqueva.
