Azulejos: Portugal's colorful history in tiles

If you visit Portugal, you will find them on almost every corner: they decorate walls, churches, palaces, even train stations and restaurants. These are the typical Portuguese azulejos - tiles that serve not only as decoration but also as storytellers. But where does this tradition come from and why has it become one of the most striking symbols of Portuguese culture?

What is azulejo?

The word “azulejo” comes from the Arabic “al-zillīj,” meaning “polished stone”. These glazed ceramic tiles are often made with blue and white patterns, which is why many people associate the word azul (blue) with the name, but over time, the Portuguese azulejos palette has expanded to include a wide range of colors. They serve not only an aesthetic purpose, but often depict religious, historical, or everyday scenes.

Historical background

The history of azulejos dates back to the 13th century, when the Arabs brought the technique to the peninsula. In the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Portuguese explorations, the tiles began to take on European and then Eastern influences, especially designs inspired by Dutch blue and white porcelain.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, azulejos became a true mass culture: they covered the walls of not only churches and palaces, but also public buildings, houses and monasteries. With the help of tiles, artists told stories, such as biblical scenes, myths or images of everyday life.

Styles and techniques

During the development of azulejos, several styles became characteristic:

• Mudejar style: geometric patterns with Arabic influences.

• Baroque azulejos: complex historical and religious scenes, with rich decoration.

• 19th-20th century industrial style: mass-produced, decorative patterns, often in blue and white colors.

The process of making azulejos

The production of traditional azulejos is an extremely precise process:

1. Molding: tiles are molded from clay and then dried.

2. First firing: the dried tiles are fired in a kiln to make the surface solid.

3. Glazing: a glaze is applied to the tiles, which gives them a smooth and shiny surface.

4. Painting: hand-painted designs, traditionally with blue paint, but modern versions may include multiple colors.

5. Second firing: the painted and glazed tile is fired again, making it durable and shiny.

Nowadays, there are several places in Portugal where visitors can make and paint their own tiles, such as the Lisbon Tile Museum Workshop in Lisbon and the Oficina de Azulejos in Porto, which offer interactive experiences to learn about traditional techniques.

National Tile Museum - The world of tiles

The Nacional Museum of Azulejo in Lisbon presents the complete history of Portuguese tile making from the 15th century to the present day. The museum displays Mudejar geometric patterns, Baroque church scenes, industrial tiles, as well as contemporary works. A special feature of the museum is its extensive bibliographic and photographic archive, which helps document the history of tile making. The museum also offers workshops where visitors can try out the hand-painting and glazing process, providing a truly hands-on experience of the Portuguese ceramic tradition.

The importance of azulejos today

Today, azulejos are not just a tourist attraction, but an important part of Portuguese identity. From the tiles of Porto's famous São Bento train station, to the painted wall tiles of Lisbon's Alfama and Belém neighborhoods, and the museum's rich collection, they all prove that tiles go beyond decoration: they tell stories of history and culture.

How can we discover them?

• Lisbon: The Alfama and Belém neighborhoods are full of azulejos, and the Museu Nacional do Azulejo tells the whole story. Unfortunately, this museum is currently undergoing renovations, so I was unable to visit the exhibition in the fall of 2025.

• Porto: São Bento train station and the tiles of the Ribeira district are the city's most famous examples.

• Workshops: There are opportunities to make and paint your own tiles in both Lisbon and Porto.

Portuguese azulejos are not just beautiful, they are an art form with deep cultural meaning. Each tile carries a story - whether it's a religious legend or a moment from the city's daily life. Next time you're in Portugal, stop for a moment and read the tale of the walls!