Heritage Spotlight: How Traditional Tile Making Lives On in Maaser El Chouf

Nestled in the cedar-draped hills of Maaser El Chouf, Blat El Atiq stands as a living testament to Lebanon’s enduring craftsmanship, where artisans handcraft terrazzo tiles using techniques passed down through generations.

This workshop in Maaser El Chouf produces each tile individual with raw materials. Natural mineral pigments, cement, and hand-shaped copper molds come together to form something that feels both functional and artistic.

Once the design is set, a hydraulic press compresses the mixture into 25mm-thick terrazzo tiles. After that, they are left to dry and carefully polished until the surface becomes smooth and finished.

Pigment mixing, mold shaping, hydraulic pressing, drying, and finishing are all done by hand, honoring an ancient craft that has been carried through generations in Lebanon’s mountain villages.

Each tile goes through the same sequence, but never comes out looking identical. The slight shifts in tone, texture, and pattern are part of what makes the process feel alive rather than mechanical. The tiles are used in a range of ways, including flooring, wall surfaces, and more intricate mosaic work.

The best part about Blat El Atiq is that it allows you to experience this wonderful process through workshops. You’ll get a closer look at how each tile comes to life from start to finish.

Participants are guided through the different stages with a hands-on experience that brings you into the world of artisans who have been practicing this work for years. Each workshop is $10 per tile, so you can actually see (and take home) what you make.

For more information, you can reach out via Instagram or +961 3 873 357. For more content like this, check out the #Arts & Culture section on our website.

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