Tiles (called azulejos) are everywhere in Portugal. They decorate everything from walls of churches and monasteries, to palaces, ordinary houses, park seats, fountains, shops, and railway stations. They often portray scenes from the history of the country, show its most ravishing sights, or simply serve as street signs, nameplates, or house numbers.
Although they are not a Portuguese invention (the use of glazed tiles began in Egypt), they have been used more imaginatively and consistently in Portugal than in any other nation. They became an art form, and by the 18th century no other European country was producing as many tiles for such a variety of purposes and in so many different designs. Today, they still remain a very important part of the country's architecture.
If you like to read on and would like to see more of the incredible tiles see here.
The tiles I photographed are the ones you see above. I loved them and it is really just a very small selection of what you can admire when visiting Lisbon.
I think this is grand!
Last but not least the tram... what would Lisbon be without? Definitely not Lisbon...
Have a good time! And visit Lisbon and see it's azulejos - if you can!
♥ Emilie's daughter ♥
pics by me
