Portuguese life and architecture. June 2023 by Ana Fernandez / SOPA Images
“Azulejos” is the Portuguese word for tiles. Its origin is, of course, Arabic, and it means “small polished stone”. The tiles were first brought to Portugal by the Arabs, in the 13th century at the time of their invasion, which also helped shape Portugal’s culture. These were initially mosaic floor tiles, often for churches or cloisters. Over time, the tendency was to use them in every building’s construction, so it is possible to see them almost everywhere. The decoration itself depends on the artist or the architect and constructor of the building.
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