Port wine, seafood, surfing, and azulejos? Those are just a few of the things that come to mind when someone mentions Portugal. Some visitors, even if they are unfamiliar with the term, may have mental pictures of glazed ceramic tiles. Numerous stunning examples of these tiles can be found all over Portugal due to their widespread use and veneration in the country's architecture and culture. The use of tiles in Portuguese homes and buildings is one of the country's most defining cultural traits. Tiles can be found covering the floors of public spaces, buildings, train stations, and even some private homes. They can merely serve as decorations, but they can also help to teach us about our past or simply illustrate stories that are significant to the area where they are found. It is impossible to discuss Portugal, especially its capital Lisbon without mentioning azulejos, which in English is more commonly referred to as "tiles."
The magnetic allure of the Portuguese capital cannot be separated from the earthenware or tiles used in its construction.
However, are you aware of where they originate? Where can you find out about their history? Where can you locate them, and where can you purchase them? Do they only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a place and nothing else? Let’s find out more about these enigmatic and artistic tiles that you can find everywhere in Portugal.
History of Portuguese Tiles:
While azulejos have been around since the Moorish invasion of what is now Spain and Portugal in the 13th century, it wasn't until the 16th and 17th centuries that they became firmly ingrained in Portuguese culture. The word azulejo means "small polished stone" and comes from Arabic origins. In the beginning, they were relatively basic structures that were cut into geometric shapes using primarily neutral colors.
When Portugal's King Manuel I traveled to Seville and brought the concept back with him, the country began to fully incorporate this form of artistic expression into its traditional practices. During the Gothic period, it was common for buildings' interiors to have large sections of blank walls, and tiles were used to cover up those sections. King Manuel I is credited with the introduction of these more ornate designs, which replaced simpler geometric patterns. It was and still is a common practice for Portuguese artists to use such ornamentation to convey stories about the country's past, present, and future.
Azulejos from the past were typically decorated using a limited color palette that was predominantly composed of blues and whites. It is believed that the Age of Discoveries, which spanned from the 15th to the 18th century, had an impact on the development of these colors, which were considered fashionable at the time. The other colors that were seen were green and yellow, which occasionally took on the appearance of gold.
Until the 19th century, tiles were primarily used indoors; it wasn't until the 1840s that they began to be widely used to clad buildings and adorn exterior walls. During this time, tiling spread from public structures like churches and palaces to private homes of the bourgeoisie as a means of differentiation. Intricate tile panels were a common way for the newly wealthy, such as entrepreneurs and families who had been abroad in countries like Brazil and returned to Portugal with large fortunes, to show off their status in society through the architecture of their homes.
During the first decades of the twentieth century, tiling became less common because it was no longer seen as a status symbol. Regardless of the social significance of tiles, it is undeniable that they have helped shape Lisbon's aesthetic, and that the city's signature warm light is in large part due to the reflections created by these ceramic panels.
In the 1950s, with the advent of the Lisbon metro system, colorful tile patterns were used to decorate some stations, most of which were designed by artist Maria Keil, ushering in a new era of appreciation for Portuguese tiles.
Modern azulejos in Lisbon are a combination of traditional tiles and newer creations; they are used to spruce up public spaces like parks and churches and the outsides of buildings, as well as inside as mosaic walls or as framed murals that stand out like paintings.
Tourists to Portugal should pay as much attention to the altars as they do to the interiors and exteriors of the churches and cathedrals they visit. Many of them, instead of being adorned with fabric, are tiled in the 16th-century azulejo style. Possibly inspired by Asian fabrics, birds and leaves were common motifs used for decoration. After the devastating 1755 Earthquake, the Portuguese capital saw a shift from Manueline architecture to Pombaline style, which in turn influenced the use of azulejos.
How are Portuguese Tiles made?
The first factory to produce tiles was established in Lisbon, which is now the capital of Portugal, in the 18th century. Since that time, the procedure has been carefully preserved in as many ways as were previously possible, with the associated tradition and method being kept intact at all times.
Because they are intended to be used for decorating the walls of buildings, the majority of Portuguese tiles are square and of a relatively thin profile.
After being baked in an oven, the tiles have their outer surfaces glazed, which enables the artists to paint on them after they have been fired. Because of the glazing, they are waterproof, which enables them to withstand any environmental conditions.
The National Tile Museum can be found in Lisbon, and it was established because tiles from Portugal are such an integral part of Portugal's history and culture that they warrant their very own museum.
How Portuguese Tiles are used:
To begin, most homes' interiors were tiled with Portuguese ceramics. Since they could only be afforded by affluent households, it makes sense that they weren't used as often in the great outdoors.
As time went on, they became increasingly standard in building construction, eventually making appearances virtually everywhere. Since you can decorate a home with similar, colorful designs or artwork, the actual decoration relies on the artist, architect, or builder.
As can be seen, most people favor a very geometrical approach when constructing patterns and furnishing their homes.
Of course, you can also use them to tell a story, which is why you often find elaborate murals on the walls of churches and monasteries.
These ceramic squares, baked at high temperatures, not only helped to delay the spread of flames in the event of a fire, but also kept homes warmer for their inhabitants centuries ago. In the wake of the devastating 1755 earthquake that leveled much of Lisbon, the city's core had to be rebuilt rapidly. In the nineteenth century, tiles replaced more expensive materials like stone. The elaborate paintings on tiles that have survived to the present day certainly weren't required to serve their functional purposes, but it's undeniable that these brightly colored surfaces have become deeply ingrained in the national identity.
Loving these colorful and whimsically designed lovely tiles? And want to bring home a piece of artwork to infuse the true essence of Portuguese culture into your home decor? Look no further! Our Lisbon Mosaic Studio has an extensive collection of exquisite artworks made of Portuguese tiles and an array of different materials. Talented Tile Designer Eileen McDonough handcrafts each piece with great love and passion. Take a look at this video to know more about Eileen and her works - https://youtu.be/Vey7GbCTcWQ.