Portugal: Tile, Tile, Everywhere…
During a recent Portuguese adventure, I was exposed to the brilliance of azulejo. Deeply embedded in the country’s history and culture, there are countless wonderful examples of these beautiful tiles. EVERYWHERE.
Some of the most famous sites known for their azulejo art include the Sao Bento train station in Porto.
Antique azulejos were decorated in a simple color palate, dominated by blues and whites. It is believed that these colors were influenced by the Age of Discoveries (1400-1900) and considered fashionable at the time.
After the Earthquake of 1755, Lisbon saw a shift from Manueline architecture (a Portuguese-Gothic style) to Pombaline styles, also influencing the use of azulejos.
Today, it is common to see them decorating churches, monasteries, restaurants, bars, railway and subway stations, palaces, and regular homes.