Portuguese tile!
I have to tell you, I am just a little bit obsessed with Portuguese tile. I haven’t stopped talking about it since I returned from my trip. Mention of this surprising architectural detail was strangely absent from my research. So imagine my surprise when I encountered the sea of tile my first morning walking the streets of Lisbon. Tile baths the exterior walls of buildings and churches and brings the streets to life with a splash of unexpected color. Then, the tile spills into the interior of said buildings and covers the walls, floors and ceilings. I even encountered the spectacular tile work at the train station!
Origins of the Portuguese painted ceramic tile work, also known as Azulejo, which means polished stone in Arabic, date back to the 15th century and is still an art that is practiced today. The extensive use of tile in the Portuguese culture serves a functional purpose as well as one of ornamental beauty. The tiles, when used to cover large exterior surfaces, were also found to be a great way to control the temperature of the structure that they adorn.
Because the tiles really need to be seen to be appreciated, here is a rather large sample of what I encountered on my travels in December. You’re welcome!
Doors of Lisbon
