Wrought iron and ironwork

The artistic metal casting in Andalusia has a long history, starting with the arrival of the Phoenicians and Greeks, then the Tartessian civilisation, as well as works bequeathed by Romans, Visigoths and Moors.

After several years of crisis, this trade has grown again in various towns in Andalusia where ironwork was traditional.

The province of Córdoba is probably the one with the greatest number of forges in Spain, some of which are ancient. Most have mechanised their tools, although they are still use traditional techniques.

Granada is also one of the main centres of artistic metalwork, with outstanding examples such as lamps, fancy locks and coppersmithing. In this respect, for a long time copper was one of the best-known crafts of Granada (currently it has been replaced by the brass, an alloy of zinc and copper).

The rest of the provinces, despite the drop in the number of forges, are regaining the tradition of wrought iron and ironwork, with fine examples of locksmithing and artistic lamps, grilles, as well as new ventures in design with tin and other metals, such as bronze or aluminium.