Abstract: A method for firing raw ceramic blanks in a furnace includes the steps of guiding trains of blanks running parallel to one another along a longitudinal furnace section having a firing zone, wherein the trains are moved in opposite directions during one movement operation, and the furnace is loaded using blanks to be moved in a first direction. A furnace for firing raw ceramic blanks having a plurality of trains which are arranged parallel to one another and can move along a longitudinal furnace section, so trains comprising a plurality of furnace bogies on which the blanks are to be arranged, wherein the furnace section has a firing zone, and wherein the trains are moved in opposite directions, and the furnace is at a first end of the furnace section for loading the blanks to be moved in a first direction into the furnace.