IN LOVE WITH LISBON

Today I was sent some information by ‘Walks on the Arts Side’; a company in Lisbon who offer themed guided walks in Lisbon focused around the beautiful Azulejos (tiles) that are an iconic feature of Portuguese buildings. I haven’t been on one of these walks yet myself so I cannot offer a personal review of them. However, after taking a look at their website, I thought many of you would be interested.

Below is the information sheet they sent me and there is also a link to download the flyer. I adore azulejos so I could imagine really enjoying one their walks and I do hope to join in on one of my next visits. If any of you have been on a Walk on the Arts Side, please feel free to let others know what you think in the comments below.

Information
For 5 centuries the Azulejos (ceramic tiles) have mirrored Portugal´s multicultural dialogue and the evolution of its own society – from the Islamic wisdom through the Renaissance spirit and the Portuguese discoveries to the “great production” of the XVIII century and the eclectic XIX and XX centuries.

We do guided tours of Lisbon’s (and Portugal’s) most extraordinary examples of a unique heritage  - the ‘Azulejos’ -  and comment on their art and history, styles, techniques and major influences from the 16th to 20th century.
The walks take place in central Lisbon and in the Belém district (in partnership with one of Europe’s oldest tile factories) lasting approx. 3hours.

Regular tours (central Lisbon):
The Chiado-Bairro Alto Tour
From the Ribeira to the Janelas Verdes
Taste of the Art: From the Pastéis de Belém to the Fábrica Sant’Anna

Other tailor-made THEMED TOURS include:
• Hispano-Moorish, Dutch Imports, The Baroque Grandeur
• The 17th’s century “Freedom of Expression”
• GUIDED TOURS of the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (NATIONAL TILE MUSEUM)
• Tile Painting Workshops
• The 17th century Convents
• The Rococo Gardens

Click here to download the flyer
Full details including times, prices, walks available and guides are all on their website

I have an endless fascination with the mosaic tile found at every turn in Lisbon and throughout Portugal. The beautiful intricate patterns adorning the streets and buildings are a precious commodity and a defining feature. From ordinary town houses to palaces and monuments, Portuguese tile is found everywhere.

The word Azulejo stems from the Moorish occupation during the 8th century. Azulejo is derived from the Arabic “al -zulecha” meaning “small Stone”. Traditionally the Koran bans images of living things so the patterns originally were made up of complex geometric designs. Over the centuries, as Moorish influence declined, this patterns changed and you could find not only geometric designs but also scenes of flora and fauna as well as human. Religious imagery was favoured initially, closely followed by images afforded by the upper classes such as hunting and feasting. The voyages of Vasco de Gama also became popular. History and fantasy became glorious visual delights of sometimes huge proportions. Some of the larger pieces in churches were referred to as tapetas as they were like a carpet/rug of tile.

Like any traditional art form, the azulejos designs went through different fashions - from the Dutch influenced blue and white tile to Neoclassical to bright multicoloured to Art Deco. Whilst there are still some traditional artists, these days the majority of the tiles you’ll see on sale are mass produced.

If you also adore this wonderful art-form then take a trip to the Museu do Azulejo. Take bus number 794 from Praça Comércio which leaves from the right hand side of the square if you are facing the river. This will drive you along the river front to Rua Madre De Deus (yes this is where the band got their name from). You need to get off at the 9th stop which is right outside a big white church to your left. The Musuem is set within the Convent of Madre De Deus which is a beautiful and peaceful setting. Inside the museum are a wide variety of tiles from different ages icluding the longest azulejo piece in Portugal showing a panoramic view of Lisbon.

Through the sculptures on the first floor, you reach an impressively adorned room with giant blue and white azulejos and paintings. Make sure you walk on the carpet. I was so busy looking at the tiles I missed the sign and received a reprimand from the museum assistant! There are examples of talha dourada here as well. Talha dourada is a specific technique of working with wood which you can often see in churches. It is highly ornate gold painted carved wood which was created by highly skilled artists.

I loved my couple of hours here. The building and the light were perfect for the tiles on show. Note that flash photography is not allowed.

Do take a trip to the cafe and sit outside in zen peaceful garden with a cup of coffee. I sat out there for quite some time just enjoying the silence and the plip of goldfish and turtles in the pond.

The museum is very reasonably priced at  3 euro’s per ticket.
Museu do Azulejo Official Site

There is a fantastic introduction to Azulejos here