Did you know….

… that you get a certain type of pretty, blue tile that is known as ‘Azulego’ in Goa? I did not, till I read up a little bit about Goa for our recent trip there. One of Goa’s lesser known aspects, for sure. Unfortunately, as it turned out later, my research proved to be inadequate.

Azulegos used in a name plate on a home in Panjim

The word ‘azulego’ has been derived from the Arabic word ‘zellige’, which means ‘polished stone’. The Moors – Muslim inhabitants of Morocco, Sicily, Malta, Western Sahara and Western Algeria – began the art of hand-painting polished tiles. This art form spread to places like Spain, Portugal, Germany and Holland in the 16th century. The Portuguese improvised the technique of making these tiles, and began predominantly using the colour blue in them. When this art form became popular in Portugal, these tiles began to be used everywhere – on the walls of houses, on the floors, in churches, in restaurants and trains, as well as in other public places. Major historic events began to be depicted on these tiles, too. The tiles not only provided ornamental value, but also helped keep the temperature under control. These blue tiles are still widely used in Portugal, apparently, albeit in contemporary forms.

An art gallery in Panjim that sells the blue hand-painted tiles

A close-up of the pretty tile name plate outside the gallery

When the Portuguese came to Goa, in the 1500s, they brought with them this form of making tiles as well. Today, in Goa, these tiles are mostly used to add an element of style, in a nameplate for a home or the frame for a mirror, or are sold as souvenirs. There are several contemporary art galleries in Goa, particularly in Panjim, which sell these tiles. We saw these tiles used at several places in Goa, in the homes of people, outside churches, on roadside altars and in restaurants, and they look absolutely gorgeous.

The blue tiles used on a roadside altar in Panjim

The hand-painted tiles used on the facade of Panjim Inn

We got so tired and hungry just driving around Panjim and photographing the beautiful old buildings there that, sadly, we didn’t get a chance to stop by a gallery and buy some of these tiles as souvenirs. It took us close to 3 hours to find Fontainhas, which is supposed to be the manufacturing hub of these beautiful tiles. No one we asked could guide us correctly. When we finally reached Fontainhas, all we found were shops and art galleries and narrow, narrow, narrow lanes. We wanted to buy the tiles directly from a potter’s place, but we didn’t find any such.  All the galleries we came across looked very elegant-looking and seemed to be expensive places to shop.

Next time, I’m going to buy some for sure. I have heard a lot of awesome things about Fontainhas, and want to explore it in a much better way the next time around. And, next time, I’m going to go to Goa better informed.

Any suggestions on where to buy some azulegos in Goa are most welcome!