For all faience-tile lovers like Andréa, the founder ofVoyage à Lisbonne, coming to Portugal for a trip is a treat — for the eyes and for our cameras.
Whether it’s Lisbon, Porto, Guimarães, Coimbra, Tavira or other equally magnificent cities dotted with azulejos,each offers a unique panorama of this ancestral art, whose origin is a blend of Moorish and Asian heritage.
The oldest azulejos tell a story : that of a familywho lived in the house whose exterior walls reveal it,that of a historical periodadorning the features of a public building, a palace or a monastery,a religious oneon the walls of churches… And the newest, made by hand, embody a refined aesthetic for the wealthiest homes.
Today, mass production allows anyone to decorate the exterior walls of their home with the pattern they wish.
Where to see these magnificent azulejos in Lisbon?
What interests us particularly here is, of course,the handcrafted azulejo, a true art of Portuguese culture that it’s important to showcase, protect and respect. In Lisbon, here is our valuable advice for an azulejo tour:
- The neighbourhoods to focus onto find the most beautiful ones adorning building façades: Alfama, Graça, Mouraria, Bairro Alto, Sant’Ana, Chiado. Don’t hesitate to get lost in the winding streets — you’ll be amazed by the absolutely staggering diversity of azulejos you’ll come across. Some façades are more remarkable than others:Largo do Intendente (Viúva Lamego), whose first façade is on the other side on theAvenida Almirante ReisRua dos Sapateiros (Leitaria Camponesa)Rua da Trindade (Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas)Miradouro de Santa Luzia (behind the church façade)Rua Nova da Trindade(inside theCervejaria Trindade)Calçada do Combro(entrance of thebiblioteca Camões)Rua das Janelas Verdes(formerFábrica de Cerâmica Constância): a factory now gone, but the façade has been listed…
- As for official buildings, the interior walls of the Mosteiro de São Vicente hold treasures, notably a unique series on La Fontaine’s fables. The Panteão Nacional is also a must-visit to see rare pieces. A little secret: the Igreja de São José dos Carpinteiros. We also keep two or three very secret spots for our travellers 😉
- But THE place not to miss is of course the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, a true sanctuary of the faience tile. There you can admire depictions of the city dating from before the 1755 earthquake, from the most ancient azulejos to the most modern, within a former monastery. The cloister is, moreover, one of the museum’s key architectural pieces.
Where to buy azulejos in Lisbon?
To buy some,Voyage à Lisbonnerecommends: the sublime Solar Antiques shop, the Viúva Lamego one, the Sant’Ana factory, Cortiço e Netos. For something very original, the Surrealejos shop will amaze you!
And for the most curious among you, we offer you the chance to create a unique azulejo: your own! Here is our article about this activity for more information:https://www.voyage-a-lisbonne.com/single-post/Activite-originale-et-insolite-a-Lisbonne-peindre-des-azulejos
If you’d like to discover new azulejos from your sofa, you can also follow us onInstagramwhere we share our most beautiful finds!
