Azulejo tiles are present in almost every station in the Lisbon Metro system. Initially, painter Maria Keil (1914–2012), wife of metro system architect Francisco Keil do Amaral (1910–1975), created the …

Azulejo, Spanish and later principally Portuguese tiles produced from the 14th century onward. At first the term was used to denote only North African mosaics, but it became the accepted word for an …

Oct 7, 2019 · But azulejos has its origin in the Arabic term for a small, smooth polished stone - aljulej or azulej - and this evolved to azulejo in Portuguese (pronounced ah-zoo-le-zhoo).

Oct 25, 2022 · The glazed ceramic tilework, known as azulejo, is prominent across the interiors and exteriors of Portugal, and this example is a featured display at the 9,800-square-foot museum in …

Jul 15, 2021 · Dressing the walls of palaces and churches throughout the entire country, the blue-and-white tiles stood as a unique symbol of Portuguese decorative art and launched the country into the …

Sep 6, 2023 · It wasn’t until the 16th century that Azulejo tiles became a more notable fixture in Portuguese culture. After visiting the Spanish city of Sevilla and Granada’s Alhambra Palace in the …

Sep 12, 2018 · The word azulejo stems from Arabic roots, meaning ‘small polished stone’. Originally they were fairly simple structures cut into geometric shapes in neutral tones.

Jun 10, 2025 · Portugal’s national museum devoted to azulejos, Museu Nacional do Azulejo, covers much of this history. Housed in the former Madre de Deus Convent (founded in 1509 by Queen D. …

Sep 9, 2024 · The word ”azulejo” derives from the Arabic word “az-zulayj”, meaning small, polished stone. The original function of azulejos wasn’t ornamental; it was intended to protect the walls of …

Aug 31, 2024 · Discover the fascinating history of azulejos, Portugal's iconic ceramic tiles. Learn about their origins, evolution during the Age of Discovery, and where to see these stunning tiles in Lisbon …