Ball joint window.

Category: Civil Architecture > Window

District: Beja > Beja > Beja > Salvador e Santa Maria da Feira

Location

In the heart of the historic city of Beja, on the serene Rua do Ulmo, one finds the Janela de Rótulas. This street, typical of the old Bejan housing, invites a peaceful stroll, where one can feel the genuine atmosphere of one of the city's most authentic areas.

Its presence is set within a traditional urban environment, allowing visitors to absorb the atmosphere of a more secluded Beja, away from the busiest thoroughfares, yet central enough to be easily discovered.

An Architectural Heritage

The Janela de Rótulas is a singular testimony to Beja's rich historical tapestry, representing an architectural peculiarity that dates back to the era of the Islamic presence in the region. This type of opening is an echo of a distant past that, over the centuries, profoundly shaped the local culture and constructions.

Its distinct design, composed of a wooden grille with small intersecting openings, demonstrates a constructive ingenuity that has remained relevant. It is a lasting feature that evokes the methods and aesthetics of other times.

Privacy and Observation

More than a mere decorative element, the Janela de Rótulas played a fundamental social and practical function. Intelligently designed, it allowed house inhabitants, especially women, to observe street movement and daily events, while simultaneously maintaining total privacy and seclusion within.

This ingenious system ensured not only the intimacy of domestic spaces but also adequate ventilation and indirect light entry, essential characteristics for comfort at the time. Thus, the Janela de Rótulas is not just an architectural piece, but a link to the customs and way of life of past generations in Beja.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt