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GLAZEDOVER
An obsession with tiles makes
Lisbon a mosaic unto itself
If there’s a redundant institution in
Lisbon, it’s the Tile Museum. The
entire city serves as a permanent
exhibition of tilework, or
azulejo
(as seen here in Eduardo VII Park).
Tiling was brought to the region
by the Moors in the 15th century,
but Lisboans have run with the
idea. You’ll find tilework on
houses, bars, benches, churches,
barbershops. Entire streets are
swathed in multicolor geometric
patterns; the interiors of bakeries
spin elaborate visual narratives.
The best way to see this stuff is
just by walking around. To buy
some, visit Loja dos Descobrimen-
tos on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, and
ask for Josefa Ribeiro.