Portugal Guide
Porto Station

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Some of the azulejos (tiles) adorning Porto's main rail station, Sao Bento.

 

Painted tiles known as azulejos are one of Portugal's specialities, visible all over the country on houses and public buildings but most memorably in or on churches. Often plain they are a feature of old buildings and rarely make an appearance on dull new constructions, although Lisbon has some striking recently tiled murals.

Invented in the 16th century, blue on white was the first and still is the most common colour scheme for picture panels, though multicoloured works are to be found. Much later when Art Nouveau and Art Deco took Europe by storm azulejos became more dynamic and bizarre.

Some great azulejos can be seen around Porto, especially on Igreja (church) do Carmo and on houses beside the river in the Ribeiro district. Évora too has various superb church examples - Igreja de Sao Joao Evangelista and Misercordia, while Lisbon has a huge offering on the (interior) walls of the monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora, including a set of full-sized fables (more pictures).

Lisbon also has a museum dedicated to the art, Museu Nacional do Azulejo.

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