In addition to the cultivation of olive trees (from which the ancient name Oleara derives), the income of the inhabitants until a few decades ago was linked to the production of terracotta tiles. The tiles were transported on muleback to Amalfi, and from there they set off to various destinations, later known as “Vietri ceramics”.
The characteristic salmon pink color of the “Neapolitan terracotta” was due both to the particular composition of the local clays and to the firing in “tuff” ovens, a very light stone that excellently withstands high temperatures.
The “Neapolitan wind” coming from the west fed the oxygenation of the ovens, all built with openings facing that direction, and the surrounding mountains guaranteed the supply of bundles of wood necessary for firing the clay. The soils for terracotta production derive from the decomposition of feldspars (which are the base of granites) and in their composition are present aluminum silicates, alkali earth oxides, and iron oxides. It is the latter which, oxidizing during firing, give the tiles their characteristic red color.
Today out of the 15 existing ovens only one remains active: that of the De Martino brothers, who continue to produce “Neapolitan terracotta” following the ancient working methods. Their oven is 450 years old, measures 27 cubic meters, and is sufficient to fire about 500 square meters of tiles. Each production cycle lasts from 22 to 25 days because the leathery hardness (when the water contained in the clay has been reduced to 10%) and the white hardness (when the water content is at 3%) of the tiles are obtained by exposure to the sun. Naturally, if it rains the times lengthen.
In Ogliara the oven temperature is controlled by the expert eye of the furnace workers who manage to guarantee the consistency of 950 degrees necessary for the material to undergo the correct contraction, melt, and vitrify, thus obtaining an increase in mechanical resistance thanks to the elimination of porosity. The color of the tiles inside the oven is the temperature indicator, and the opening and closing of the 12 draft controls allow the uniformity of firing.
Meanwhile, Saint Anthony Abbot, protector of fire, watches over every firing to ensure everything goes smoothly. A candle must always be lit for him, at every batch. You never know!
