azulejo

Azulejo is a form of tin-glazed ceramic tile that has played a central role in the architectural decoration of the Iberian Peninsula and the broader Portuguese-speaking world. The tradition emerged under Moorish influence and developed through medieval and early modern periods, becoming especially prominent in Portugal and Spain from the 16th century onward. The word azulejo is associated with this workshop-produced tile style and is widely used to describe both individual tiles and the broader tiled surfaces that adorn churches, palaces, monasteries, and houses.

Technically, azulejos are tin-glazed earthenware tiles. The tin glaze provides an opaque, white surface on which pigments—most famously cobalt blue, but also greens, ochres, and other colors—are painted before firing. The process yields durable, washable tiles that can be arranged to form repetitive patterns or large narrative panels. The term “azulejo” can refer to both single tiles and the decorative programs they form on walls, floors, or façades.

History and use vary by region. In Portugal, azulejos became a defining element of architectural interiors and exteriors from the 16th century, with important centers in Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto. The linked imagery ranges from religious scenes and historic events to geometric and floral motifs, evolving under various artistic influences, including Dutch Delftware and Italian maiolica. In the Portuguese-speaking Americas, notably Brazil, the craft was imported and adapted to local tastes and themes, creating distinctive regional expressions.

Today azulejos remain a key cultural feature in Portugal, Brazil, and other former Portuguese colonies, valued for their decorative versatility, historical resonance, and ongoing practice by contemporary artisans.