Last week I wrote about all the non traditional photos I took during our European trip. I shared my photos of doors and doorknockers and window. This week [part 2 of 5] – tiles and mosaics. Or azulejos as they are called in Spain and Portugal.
Some facts for those interested, tiles in Potrugal:
- date as far back as the 13th century, when the Moors invaded land that now is Spain and Portugal
- became part of Portuguese culture between the 16th and 17th centuries
- the word azulejo stems from Arabic roots, meaning ‘small polished stone’. Originally they were fairly simple structures cut into geometric shapes in neutral tones.
- Portugal’s King Manuel I visited Seville and brought the idea back, following this Portugal truly adopted this artwork into its culture.
- antique azulejos were decorated in a simple colour palate, dominated by blues and whites
- other colours that appeared were yellow (sometimes looking gold) and green.
Here are some of the bright and attractive tiles that caught my attention.
Carina's Crafts 