For the love of tiles
Floral designs, geometric shapes, religious depictions, you name it and you’ll find tiles with beautiful designs adorning the walls of many buildings in Lisbon. One of the top things do in Lisbon is visiting the Lisbon Tile Museum – which the answer to Lisbon’s love of all things tile.Lisbon Tile Museum
The Portuguese have been creating these exuberantly coloured and patterned tile designs, locally known as Azulejos, since the 16th century.
Church walls, cafes, restaurants, pavements and even metro stations all play their part as canvasses to showcase these exquisite tile designs.
What are Azulejos you ask?
Dont just look ahead while walking through the city, look up, down and all around. You are bound to come across these sparkly cermain ticles. I first remembered spotting the beautifully laid out pavements and then observed this trend everywhere I went. The designs graduated from pavements onto the walls – blues and whites, reds and browns and sometimes colours spanning the whole palette – all put together in breathtaking designs.
Azulejos were introduced to Portugal in the 15th century. This was when Portugal was under Moorish rule. The word Azulejos has its origin from the Arabic word ‘az-zulayi‘ which translates to ‘polished stone‘.
Portugal’s King Manuel I was so impressed with the azulejos when he visited Alhambra in Spain that he brought back the techniques to his country. The Portuguese whole-heartedly accepted the Moorish tradition of horror vacui – the fear of empty spaces – and covered the walls of of various buildings with these beautiful azulejos.
Although you will find azulejos in all colours, my favourite has been the blue and white combination.
What I love it!! Where can I see more?
If you havent had your fill of this beautiful art across the city, then head to the National Tile Museum in Lisbon. It truly is one of Lisbon’s hidden gems and makes perfect sense to have this in Lisbon – considering all the great tile work present all over the city and country.
Located on Rua da Madre Deus, the best way to get here is by taking a taxi. Being one of its kind in the world, expect to see rather large paintings done on tiles and you will easily spend 2-3 hours in there – mostly in awe.
The chapel is beautifully adorned in a perfect combination of blue and white tile work and gold woodwork.
But nothing compares to the work of a masterpiece – 1,300 tiles measuring 53 metres depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake.
The museum has loads of contemporary works and a cafe as well.
If you are still craving for more, then roam around in Alfama to see some gorgeously done up buildings. Enjoy tile-spotting. Wondering what else to do in Lisbon, take a look at our 3 Day travel guide to Lisbon.
