In pics: century-old Armenian pottery shop in Jerusalem

Artisans work at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

An Armenian pottery workshop in Jerusalem's Old City showcases colorful ceramics featuring traditional floral and bird motifs. Hagop Karakashian, the workshop's owner, is a third-generation Armenian ceramic artist whose family tradition in Jerusalem dates back to 1919, when his grandfather arrived in the city from the Ottoman Empire.

For more than a century, the family has preserved its distinctive craftsmanship, becoming part of the Old City's rich cultural heritage.

But years of conflict have cast a shadow over the century-old business. Since the outbreak of the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, Jerusalem tourism has suffered severely. Karakashian said the number of visitors to his shop has dropped by 90 percent.

Despite the challenges, the family-run workshop remains open daily. Amid the shadow of war, the vibrant flowers and birds painted on the ceramics remain symbols of resilience and hope, reflecting a longing for peace in a city long marked by conflict.

A visitor works on a ceramic piece at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

An artisan works on a ceramic piece at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

A visitor works on a ceramic piece at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2026 shows ceramic artworks at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Photo: Xinhua)

Hagop Karakashian, an Armenian traditional ceramic craftsman, works at his shop in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

An artisan works on a ceramic piece at a century-old Armenian pottery shop run by the Karakashian family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026.

Hagop Karakashian, an Armenian ceramic artisan, demonstrates traditional pottery-making techniques at his shop in the Old City of Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2026.