Width: 90mm

Height: 140mm

Depth: 16mm

176 Pages

lines per page: 19

Central Park. The Statue of Liberty. Times Square. New York City is home to a seemingly endless number of famed landmarks, bringing in tourists from all over the globe to witness the sights up close. Standing out among these urban monuments are the skyscrapers that punctuate the Azulejos (meaning “small polished stone”) are painted, glazed ceramic tiles that date back to 13th-century Portugal where they were used inside buildings during the Gothic period. Today, we see these decorative tiles across a wide range of buildings, from monasteries, palaces and restaurants to bars, railway stations and family homes. The design on the tiles commonly related to the building’s unique history, and the individual pieces often end up forming an elaborate mosaic. There are countless wonderful examples of these beautiful tiles all across Portugal, many in the original blue and white colour scheme that was fashionable in the “Age of Discovery” (15th century to the late 18th century). Sao Bento Railway Station in Porto, the Bucaco Palace and many stops in the Lisbon Metro are among the most famous sites known for their azulejo art. The design reproduced here is pulled from the traditional tiles gracing the facades of a variety of old houses in Porto. Ornate in detail, these tiles do not just serve as decoration but represent an important part of Portuguese culture and tradition. Held within are stories of their country and its past. With our cover design we celebrate this enduring Portuguese symbol of culture and tradition.