On the occasion of the public reopening of the exhibition “Matter. Know-how. Place.” at the IE Creativity Center, located in the Real Casa de la Moneda in Segovia and open until October 11, the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation, IE University, and the IE Creativity Center are organizing a series of practical workshops led by renowned master artisans representing different traditional building crafts.
The workshops will take place on September 22, 23, and 24 at the IE Creativity Center, and on October 2 and 10 at the Palacio de Mansilla, the new IE University campus in Segovia’s historic center.
The workshops are free of charge, and registration for any of them can be completed through the following form:
– Workshops –
Workshop on Thatch Roofing
Led by Manuel Monteserín
Monday, September 22, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 pm, IE Creativity Center
Master craftsman Manuel Monteserín, from Balboa (León) and one of the few artisans who still master the traditional rye-thatch roofing technique, will demonstrate how the material for these roofs is prepared and applied. Participants will learn how the tools are used, how the rye bundles are braided, and how the fastening techniques ensure the strength and durability of the pallozas and hórreos typical of this region in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
Workshop on Carpentry and Woodcarving
Led by Miguel Ángel Tapia
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 pm, IE Creativity Center
Master craftsman Miguel Ángel Tapia, carpenter, cabinetmaker, and woodcarver with a long professional career, will offer an introductory demonstration of the traditional woodworking crafts. Participants will become familiar with the use of hand tools and observe directly the application of basic carpentry and carving techniques. This will be an opportunity to discover the foundations of the trade, understand its processes, and appreciate the value of craftsmanship in wood.
Blacksmithing Workshop
Led by Elías de Andrés
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 pm, Forge Workshop at the Casa de la Moneda
In this workshop, master blacksmith Elías de Andrés from Segovia—heir to a lineage of five generations of blacksmiths and with more than eight decades of experience—will demonstrate the traditional craft of working iron. The session will introduce participants to the fundamental techniques of the trade and the use of the main tools of the forge. With the mastery gained over a lifetime dedicated to this craft, Elías keeps alive a knowledge that remains an essential part of Segovia’s heritage.
Sgraffito Workshop
Led by Carolina Alcalá (School of Art and Design of Segovia)
Thursday, October 2, 2025
11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Palacio de Mansilla
Artist and restorer Carolina Alcalá will lead a workshop on sgraffito, a technique characteristic of the traditional architecture of Segovia and present on many of the city’s most emblematic façades. The session will begin with an introduction to this decorative practice and continue with a demonstration of its execution. Finally, participants will take an active role and experience for themselves the different stages of the process.
Stone Masonry Workshop
Led by Feliu Martín
Friday, October 10, 2025
4:00 – 7:00 pm, Palacio de Mansilla
Master stonemason Feliu Martín will lead a workshop on the fundamentals of stonework. The activity will combine a general introduction to the craft with a demonstration of the use of its traditional tools: how they are handled, how the stone is worked, and how different textures and finishes are created. The session will also include the opportunity to work directly on a block of stone, allowing participants to become familiar with the basic techniques and essential tools of the trade.
