The Timeless Beauty of Handmade Zellige
A Rich History Worth Knowing
Zellige tiles first appeared in Morocco around 10th century, when skilled artisans made them for decorating important buildings like palaces and mosques. The technique probably came from Byzantine mosaic art but changed to have geometric patterns that follow Islamic artistic traditions. For many centuries, these tiles were symbols of wealth and spiritual importance, with each piece carefully cut and arranged in beautiful mosaic patterns. Today, most people use them in more simple, often one-color designs that show natural beauty and texture of zellige tiles.
How Zellige Tiles Are Made
The special quality of zellige starts with clay that comes from near Fez, Morocco. Artisans soak and knead this clay by hand, then press it into wooden molds for making squares, hexagons, or custom shapes. After they dry in sun for one or two days, the tiles go into wood-burning kilns at very high temperatures. After this, artisans dip them in mineral glazes and fire them again. At TerraFez, this traditional firing process is carefully maintained, making sure the uneven heat creates those beautiful color variations that make every tile unique from others. Many customers tell us they fall in love with exactly this uniqueness of handmade zellige tiles.
Perfect Places for Zellige in Your Home
Kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces are most popular places people choose for zellige tiles. In kitchens, they create stunning backsplashes that add depth and character next to plain cabinets. Their glossy finish makes beautiful light effects throughout the day. In bathrooms, zellige works very well in showers and around tubs, with water-resistant glazes making them practical and also beautiful. TerraFez offers many sizes and color options that work perfectly in these wet areas. Besides these spaces, many homeowners also use zellige tiles around fireplaces, as floor decorations in entryways, or even as feature wall in living rooms. The handmade warmth of zellige tiles works in almost any room of house.
Why Designers and Homeowners Love Them
There is something very special about having materials in your home that were made by real human hands. Zellige tiles tell a story - one about skilled craftsmanship passed through many generations. They add character that machine-made tiles cannot ever match. Most of our customers also appreciate the eco-friendly aspects of zellige: they are made from local clay, fired in low-energy kilns, and created with zero-waste practices in workshop. This combination of beauty, craftsmanship, and sustainability makes zellige tiles a smart choice for homes where details are important. Plus, their timeless appeal means they will not look outdated after few years - these tiles already passed the test of centuries and still look amazing in modern homes.
