Budding balconies in Grottaglie
Grottaglie in Puglia’s Taranto region is famous for the production of ceramics and pottetry, as illustrated by the symbolic budding balconies.
Italian balconies are generally an elaborate affair with a picturesque profusion of plants, flowers and other kinds of life. Potted basil and sage serve as makeshift kitchen gardens; there’s storage room for strings of onion, garlic, tomatoes and chilli; chairs for stringing beans and chatting with a neighbours; baskets on a line to heave up groceries; and colourful orgies of potted plants and flowers balancing delicately on the wrought iron railings.
Lu pumu hidden in a shower of flowers.
Hanging Gardens
The first times I visited Italy, I walked the streets in fear of concussion and skull fracture in case a casual elbow or a gust of wind should send the terracotta pots tumbling. Then I discovered the giant spikes keeping the potted flowers in place and felt more safe. I actually started to enjoy looking for the tiny, well-trimmed hanging gardens, and in the Puglian town Grottaglie my attention was particularly rewarded.
One of the old palaces with identical buds on each balcony.
The Symbolic Meaning of Budding Balconies
The inhabitants in this ‘Città della Ceramica’ decorate their balconies with ‘lu pumu’. A ceramic flower bud placed on the corner spikes of balconies as a good omen. Whether these glazed buds that supposedly bring luck, fertility and abundance spring from old superstitions and folklore, I haven’t been able to find out. They may also be a successful result of commercial product development in one of the local potteries. Anyway I think it is a pretty tradition.
If you are planning to visit Grottaglie, you might also like these posts
San Pietro in Bevagna: A divine beach in Puglia
Italian pottery: The rooster of Grottaglie
Castellaneta – The city of Rudolf Valentino
It is fun to identify the variety in ceramic flower buds on the balconies of Grottaglie
Really beautiful, those ceramic flowers. Are they cleverly bolted down, as well? (Doesn’t look like they are).
No, I don’t think they are bolted. But the spikes are quite long and the buds are out of reach for potential thieves passing by.
Beautiful! I love details like this that dress up a drab balcony.
A very interesting post. I’m glad to have found your blog.
All the best…
Budding AND beautiful balconies. I guess you do have to worry about the concussion factor when wandering around but they’re still pretty to look at. :)
Julia
I had no idea about the spikes. That makes everything a lot safer!
Sometimes it’s important or at least rewording to raise your gaze from the street level and discover something new. Very interesting. Thanks.
I really adds the beauty of the balconies. Thanks for sharing this new ideas and really interesting.
Ohhhh, I love balconies!
Those are so pretty!!
I love a good balcony, especially with shutters, cascading flowers and lots of scrolly iron decoration. Great photos!