Pretty Portugal

Portugal has left a lasting impression on us. The space, the greenness, the natural beauty, did I mention the space, the coastal ruggedness, the stunning beaches, the open space, but most of all the pretty little villages and small towns with their beautifully decorated tiled buildings. Upon each building we have seen, each tile or azulejo seems unique but this can't be the case as it would be impossible! 

The best examples so far have been at Aveiro and in São Pedro Santa Luzia. 

Lisbon is also full of them and there is even a tile museum, but as Lisbon was a complete washout for us, we will have to do that part again one day! According to the 'Rough Guide to Portugal', the brightly coloured decorative tiles were introduced by the Moors in the eight century. The word derives from the Arabic word al zulecha meaning small stone. 

In Aveiro we were told that the reason for the tiled houses was historically two-fold. Firstly as a sign of wealth, as it costs so much to tile a whole house, so those with the entire house tiled are obviously more wealthy than those with just the window surrounds tiled, and secondly to act as a sort of weather proofing against the sea water and salt water, especially along the river banks of Aveiro where the salt pyramids form part of the otherwise flat landscape. 

Whatever the reasons, the tiles (especially the older ones) are beautiful, and I have been snapping away with my little snap-happy camera hoping that one day an art project will come of all my photographic resources!!! 

I have also found the traditional door knockers shaped as hands quite interesting!!

Clare