“Calçada portuguesa”: art under our feet

A symbol of national artistic expression, the “calçada portuguesa” – Portuguese pavement, which we find on most pedestrian streets in Portugal's cities and towns, often goes unnoticed under the feet of those who visit us.

Pavements formed by limestone stones, essentially in white and black but also in other colors and different shades, have their origin associated with the reconstruction of Lisbon and especially from the middle of the 19th century, when the zig-zag pavements of São Jorge Castle or the undulating decorations of Rossio Square made headlines.

The Portuguese pavement quickly spread through Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries and the craftsmen paved the way to improve their skill, often composing real works of art. The use of this pavement gained an artistic value, and the simple geometric motifs progressed to more complex motifs, making most attractive streets in the form of authentic tapestries, including references to local traditions and the history of Portugal, namely the Age of Discoveries.

In the Algarve, we can highlight the incredible and surprising pedestrian areas of downtown Faro as well as in downtown Albufeira where we can also observe this unique pavement, of incalculable historical and heritage value. Enjoy and be sure to visit us at Engel & Völkers Albufeira near Galé!