A walk among tiles that tell stories

Getting lost in Lisbon is to immerse oneself in an urban canvas of tiles. In neighborhoods like Alfama or the steep streets surrounding the São Jorge castle, the facades are adorned with painted ceramics, witnesses to centuries of tradition, religion, and daily life. They are not just simple tiles: they are stories in blue and white that decorate the houses, protect from humidity, and beautify the urban landscape since the 16th century.

Why blue? The color that traveled from the East

The blue of Lisbon's tiles is not coincidental: it comes from Chinese influence and their white and blue porcelain, which inspired Portuguese artisans during the height of maritime trade. This blue, evoking the sky and the sea, eventually became a national symbol. 

The Arab geometric shapes, floral motifs, or even religious scenes turn every wall into a work of art. 
From indigo tones to aged greens, yellows that blend with the city’s light, Lisbon is an open-air museum where each tile has a soul. 

And yes: here, the walls not only decorate… they also tell who we were, who we are, and how we continue to walk upon beauty.