The Legacy of Azulejos in Portugal
Blue glazed ceramic tiles, or azulejos, are iconic in Portugal, adorning everything from Lisbon’s streets to churches and public fountains. Originally influenced by Islamic art brought by the Moors in the 8th century CE, azulejos became a royal fascination during King Manuel I’s reign. Inspired by the tilework of Seville and the Alhambra, he decorated his palace with Hispano-Moresque styles. The art evolved with the arrival of Italian and Flemish artisans in the 16th century, who introduced the majolica technique, allowing complex scenes and religious imagery. By the 18th century, under the Marquis of Pombal, azulejos became a widespread urban feature, marking a shift from elite patronage to broader public use. ‘The intricate designs, vibrant colors, and classic blue-and-white palette of azulejos make them highly attractive. Their elegance enhances the beauty of homes, nameplates, altars, and garden walls, often drawing attention from visitor’, said Frasier D’costa from Majorda, as he intends to use them in his newly constructed home.
The Cultural Exchange: Azulejos in Goa
Portuguese colonial influence extended the art of azulejos to Goa, particularly in Augustinian buildings like the churches of Nossa Senhora de Graça and Santa Monica in Old Goa. These tiles reflected the dynamic cultural exchanges between Portuguese India and neighboring Islamic empires, such as the Mughals and Ottomans. This cross-cultural blend is described by the term Islamicate, highlighting Islamic-inspired, yet non-religious art present in both Catholic and Hindu spaces. Some Goan azulejos may have been brought from regions like Bijapur, exemplifying the global flow of artistic traditions during the Portuguese colonial period. ‘Azulejos evoke the Portuguese colonial past of Goa, blending European aesthetics with local identity. I feel a strong cultural connection to these tiles, which are seen as visual stories of their ancestry and architectural legacy’, says Antoneta Rodrigues from Orlim.
Orlando de Noronha, a prominent figure in reviving azulejo art in Goa, notes that Goans often prefer tile designs that reflect their cultural heritage, blending traditional Portuguese aesthetics with local Goan elements. “Many people opt for artwork inspired by Mario Miranda’s famous cartoons, usually in black and white or blue and white. Sometimes, if clients request it, a bit of color is added,” Orlando explains. Classic shades like blue and white, along with earthy hues such as yellow and brown, remain favorites, echoing Portuguese artistic traditions.
Azulejos in Goa are widely used as nameplates, souvenirs, and decorative pieces, underscoring their significance in everyday Goan life and art. Orlando also shared that the cost of azulejos varies based on factors like the size of the order, the complexity of the design, and whether the tiles are hand-painted or printed. He crafts glazed azulejos using two approaches: with raw tiles or pre-baked ones available in the market. The colors he uses are classified into two types—high-temperature colors, which are fired at over 1000°C, and low-temperature colors, fired between 750°C and 810°C. At times all colors cannot be fired together and need to be fired separately based on the temperatures at which they have to be fired, he said.
Goa’s Iconic Mosaic and the Call for Revival
One of Goa’s most stunning azulejo displays can be found at the Institute Menezes Braganza in Panjim. The mosaic depicts scenes from Os Lusíadas, the Portuguese epic by Luís Vaz de Camões, and was designed by artist Jorge Colaço in 1934. The tiles, likely painted in Portugal, were assembled in Goa by artists from Bombay and inaugurated in 1937. The work remains a powerful testament to cultural storytelling. ‘Many azulejo tiles in Goan homes depict Christian saints, Mother Mary, or Jesus Christ. For Catholic families, especially, these tiles are not just decorative but are part of their daily devotion and spiritual space. I am a devout follower of St Anthony any thus thought of getting a portrait of the saint made for my home’, said Anthony Miranda from Cavelossim.