We went to the National Tile Museum in Lisbon!

abril 10, 2020

We went to the National Tile Museum in Lisbon!

Hi guys 😁

A few weeks ago, we went to the National Tile Museum in Lisbon. The building is marvellous and was a Monastery back in the days, constructed in the XV century, very characteristical with naturalist and maritime motives. Before our visit, we had lunch in the restaurant of the museum on the ground floor, which was really good. If you're planning to go there, don't forget to try their dishes 😋

Portra 400, Nikon F65

The term azulejo comes from the Arabic word az-zulayj, which means "polished stone". The Moors brought this term to the Iberian Peninsula, but interestingly, despite their long presence, their influence in early Portuguese azulejos was actually introduced from Spain in the XV century, right after the Christian reconquest. For this reason, no tilework from the time of the Moorish occupation survives in Portugal.

Portra 400, Nikon F65

As we entered the gallery there was a huge variety of tiles: some depicted portraits of Kings and nobles along the Portuguese history; others the daily lives of the peasants and people working in many tasks, such as fishing or weaving. However, besides the contrasts we see between the classical tiles, we observe a deeper contrast when comparing with modern azulejo tiles, made by a local arts school.

Tiles made by a local arts school - Escola Artística António Arroios; Portra 400, Nikon F65

Off galleries, the museum building is a museum itself with classical azulejo on the walls, thus creating a fresh and dim environment, very typical of monasteries. Similarly to most Monasteries of Portugal and Spain, this one had an inner courtyard encircled with carved arches. Behind them, there was an alley, just like any roundabout we see on the road.

If you're thinking of travelling to Portugal, don't forget to visit one of the most important national museums, for its unique collection of azulejos - a way of telling history.

André and Rita 😊