The National Museum of Ceramics, in Safi, has been a significant part of Morocco’s cultural landscape since its establishment in 1990. In 2018, it was integrated into the esteemed National Foundation of Museums, solidifying its position among the nation’s renowned museums. The museum has a diverse and extensive collection primarily showcasing pottery and ceramics originating from the region. With over 600 meticulously preserved objects, that will wow enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Safi, historically recognized as a city for pottery production, is deeply intertwined with maritime resources and the crafting of utilitarian pottery. Archaeological findings, notably from the site of Lalla Hniya Hamriya discovered in 1994, affirm Safi’s involvement in ceramic craftsmanship dating back to at least the Almoravid period (11th century). Despite interruptions during Portuguese colonization (1508-1541), Safi regained its prominence as a ceramic production hub in the early 18th century. The advent of master ceramist Boujemaa Lamali further catalyzed Safi’s ceramic legacy, marking the establishment of the first ceramics school in Morocco and influencing generations of ceramists.

The museum’s collection holds artifacts of both archaeological and ethnographic significance. These items primarily originate from various national museums under the National Foundation of Museums (FNM), including the Archaeological Museum of Tetouan, the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures in Tangier, the Museum of History and Civilizations, the Museum of the Oudayas in Rabat, the Dar Jamaï Museum in Meknes, the Weaving and Carpet Museum Dar Si Said in Marrakech, and the Al Batha Museum in Fes.

Additionally, the collection has been enriched through local contributions, predominantly in the form of donations. These donations come from various sources such as the Municipality of Safi, renowned local ceramists like Ahmed Serghini, Jilali and Latifa Ziouani, and Ahmed Gharissi, as well as from many Moroccan collectors including the late Thami Ouazzani and Rabiî Alami, and French patrons Gilles Carret and Pascale Thomas.