Editorial — Marcella Echavarria

Labores de Lagartera

A book published in 2023 by the Government of Castilla La Mancha, the Culture, Crafts and Tourism Departments and Fundación Impulsa.

The book highlights this textile tradition from Lagartera, a town located in the province of Toledo, Castilla La Mancha.

The labranderas are the carriers of an ancient tradition, one that dates back to medieval times, encompassing traditional dress, domestic trousseau and liturgical garments. For their daily assembly, each one carries a little wooden stool, a lace pillow, scissors, threads and centuries of traditions to be embedded stitch by stitch.

Lagartera’s history dates back to the 13th century. After the 12th century, migrating Arabs and Jews from Toledo brought both Arabic and Jewish heritage into the area. Lagartera became a melting pot of beliefs and ideas. Motifs, such as filigree, stylized flowers on long graceful stems, and geometrics, worked in symmetrical patterns, provide a material link between Lagartera and the ancient eastern Mediterranean.

This book is part of Castilla La Mancha´s strategy to promote the savoire faire of Lagartera as part of the cultural heritage of Spain and the world as named by Unesco.

Photos: Marcella Echavarria

Text: Ana Navarro Ortega

Art direction: Tomás Alía

Edition: Asociación Contemporánea de Artes y Oficios