Do you know why we're buying water jugs again?

Perhaps you cherish the memory of that ceramic water jug ​​that adorned your parents' living room shelf. Or the swallows that always flew on your grandparents' terrace or balcony wall. Perhaps you long to rekindle that memory, to make it tangible in your home, or to give it to your children because it means so much to you that a decorative object can bring back a very real absence. Well, you can visit Cerámica Villegas, on Carrer Comtal near Via Laietana. You'll find everything in traditional ceramics. And these kinds of wishes, too. Eva Villegas is the second generation of the family to run the shop, and it's fascinating to hear her—and Pedro, who knows the daily clientele very well—talk about the tastes of Barcelonans and tourists when it comes to the captivating world of ceramics. They're surprising when they tell you that since the pandemic, they've seen a strong resurgence in sales of water jugs, an object closely associated with Catalan artisanal traditions, which hadn't been seen for years, or were only seen very rarely. Why has this happened? "Probably because the lockdown awakened a desire in many people to return to their roots," Eva and Pedro point out. Returning to one's roots also means, in this case, dusting off old memories and valuing the legacy of the past more.

In Villegas, everything you can find is 100% handmade, traditionally crafted ceramics. The vast majority are made in Catalonia, and there's also some from other parts of Spain. Nothing foreign. Many people come in and ask if what we sell is from here or elsewhere. "That's it." Chinese"?" is a common question. Eva gives an example: the Tiger nearby sells mass-produced ceramics. That's not their case. Competition, including from souvenir shops, has kept them very aware of the market and demand. In addition to decorative pieces, they also offer functional ceramics such as plates, bowls, and trays. Their success stems from the fruitful and productive relationship they've maintained for years with artisanal ceramic makers. They used to be wholesalers, but there came a point when the market simply couldn't keep up with demand.

Cerámica Villegas opened in 1970 thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Josep Maria Villegas, Eva's father. It began as a jewelry enamel workshop and quickly expanded, thanks to the influence of various friends and their expertise in the field, into a ceramics shop, a craft deeply rooted in Catalan and Iberian tradition. In Galicia and Portugal, for example, it has a strong presence. Through successive trips, the founder was able to incorporate diverse styles and origins. Over the years, the shop has expanded and consolidated a wide range of options. Today, in 2025, the typical customer is the tourist: "One in twenty who come in is a tourist," Eva points out. But tourists don't just want to buy Gaudí or Dalí-inspired ceramics—which they also have—they might also want a small dog, cat, or owl to add to their collection. Or perhaps a magnet shaped like a Barcelona panot tile, which is one of the shop's bestsellers. Or a lizard climbing the wall. Or a clock that's a cat with a wagging tail—the pendulum—and eyes. Chess sets, witches, meninas, all sorts of figures representing trades, bride and grooms, thimbles... Now is the time for nativity scenes, of course, which coexist with representatives of modern times such as Star Wars and Harry PotterCountless options. We also take custom orders of all kinds. For celebrations, retirements, and various commemorations. You can order, for example, a personalized message written on a ceramic book or scroll. Looking for an inspiring example? Here it is: "The measure of love is to love without measure."