Tiles Farm

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Carnide

Location

Quinta dos Azulejos is located in the Carnide area of Lisbon. This location is part of the historical setting of Paço do Lumiar, an area once characterized by palaces, gardens, and squares that formed a landscape of great value. Its position offers a glimpse into the rural and recreational past of Lisbon's surroundings, now integrated into the capital's urban fabric.

A Historical Legacy

The origins of Quinta dos Azulejos date back to the 18th century, with its construction beginning around 1745, commissioned by António Colaço Torres. Throughout its history, spanning decades of ownership by various families, the quinta alternated between periods of great splendor and moments of neglect. Its preservation is largely due to the installation of the Colégio Manuel Bernardes in 1935, which helped safeguard the notable collection of tiles that distinguishes it. Due to its heritage value, the quinta's garden is classified as a Property of Public Interest.

The Ornate Garden

The garden of Quinta dos Azulejos is its most striking feature, presenting a quadrangular layout and paths that radiate from the main house. Despite its modest dimensions, the space is remarkable for the density of tiles that almost entirely cover its elements. Most of these pieces were created at the Real Fábrica de Faianças do Rato, reflecting the Rococo style of the period between 1745 and 1755, with a profusion of shapes and colors.

Narrative Tile Panels

A stroll through the garden reveals a singular artistic richness. The entrance, for example, is flanked by octagonal columns completely covered in tiles, topped with decorative vases. The high walls display biblical scenes and gallant moments of garden life, while one of the axes narrates mythological stories with figures like Perseus and Andromeda. Another highlight is found next to a small pond, where a curved stone bench has been meticulously covered with tiles that follow its elaborate Rococo curves, complemented by a fountain of embrechados. On the western axis, the greatest surprise awaits visitors: panels that depict, with great detail and precision, a variety of animals, including exotic creatures from other continents, even featuring a dodo bird, now extinct. This thematic diversity and the detail of the tiles make the Quinta dos Azulejos ensemble a visually rich and culturally significant experience.

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