![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20190315_114545-1024x576.jpg\")
Plaza de las palomas – Seville<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20190315_121824-1024x576.jpg\")
Plaza di Spagna – Seville<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nInterestingly, even in the days of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the use of tiles is evident, having experienced a geographic and expressive expansion from the Islamic presence and manifestation in the Mediterranean region, spreading throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It is in the East that the production of coatings for Chinese porcelain is consecrated, and its art, in proportion to the dynamics of Islamic enlargement, reached the regions where it was felt. Thus, Muslim artisans settled in various parts of the peninsula, and, tending, they planted the seeds of Mudejar architecture on Spanish soil, and of the art of tiles in Portugal. All of this right in the middle of this millennium. Meanwhile Portugal which had already a long ceramic tradition, gave up importing from Spain to make its own tile, and which propagated this same device to the colonies it held then. The feeling of enchantment was immediate, and there was a prospect of an eternalization of these mosaics in what would be a legacy for Iberian artisans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the ruling classes that cultivate the taste for tiles first, choosing the most appropriate theme for the decoration of the buildings; from military campaigns, historical episodes, to everyday scenes, religious, mythological and even some satires. The potters were responsible for satisfying requests, copying models, adapting fashions and styles. At the end of the 17th century, the quality of production and execution is higher, there are entire families involved in this art of making tiles and, some painters begin to assert themselves as artists, starting to sign their works, thus beginning the Masters Cycle .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20200110_103031-scaled-e1595267761761-768x1024.jpg\")
St Lawrence church Almansil<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20200110_103058-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20200110_113411-1024x768.jpg\")
Bishop’s Palace Faro<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precious-time.pt\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/20200228_170246-1024x768.jpg\")
Meseric\u00f3rdia church Tavira<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n From the 19th century onwards, the tile gains more visibility, leaves the palaces and churches for the fa\u00e7ades of the buildings, in a close relationship with architecture. The urban landscape is illuminated by the light reflected on the glazed surfaces. Tile production is intense, new factories are created in Lisbon, Porto and Aveiro. Later, already in the middle of the 20th century, the tile enters the railway and metro stations, some sets are signed by established artists. The tradition has become even more popular, presenting itself as a decorative solution for kitchens and bathrooms, in a test of resistance, innovation and renovation of this small piece of ceramic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, answering the first question made in the beginning, why people had the tendency to say royalty had blue blood? This term refers to European Royal nobility and is a metaphor that describes the profound blue appearance of the veins and skin. The term Blue Blood (aka sangre azul) has origins that may predate recorded history. With majority strugling to acsess to water and shower, no doubt the white clean skin of the wealthy ones would stand out the veins that look like carrying blue blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some places where you can see Portuguese tile panels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
S\u00e3o Bento Station, Porto;
Santo Ildefonso Church, Porto;
Church of the Congregates, Porto;
Capela das Almas, Porto;
Church of Nossa Senhora dos Rem\u00e9dios, Lamego;
Convent of Santa Cruz do Bu\u00e7aco, Bu\u00e7aco;
Convent of Christ, Tomar;
S\u00e3o Quintino Church, Sobral de Monte Agra\u00e7o;
Quinta da Bacalhoa, Lisbon;
S\u00e3o Roque Chapel, Lisbon;
Gra\u00e7a Convent, Lisbon;
S\u00e3o Vicente de Fora Convent, Lisbon;
Palace of the Marqueses de Fronteira, Lisbon;
National Palace of Queluz, Lisbon;
Ferreira das Tabuletas House, Lisbon;
Mitra Palace, Azeit\u00e3o.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd..last but not least, at Saint Lawrence church in Almansil,<\/strong> Algarve.I leave you with some pictures, including my sister\u2019s wedding and my son\u2019s christening just to have you writing this place on your list for when you\u2019re visiting Algarve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEnjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A big hug to all of you hoping you\u2019re well and safe! Allow me today to introduce you to something else we can call Precious Art: The portuguese azulejo.Many are the visitors who believe that the word derives from the color in which most of them are painted : blue , in portuguese language azul, … <\/p>\n