Pavement artwork in Portugal

One of the beautiful things about Portuguese streets and pavements in the intricate stonework that forms patterns and divides the street scene into clear areas. I mentioned this in a previous post last year. Although the calçada portuguesa as it is called is very beautiful, it does have some restrictions. For example, when there are roadworks or a traffic accident, these stones get chewed up and, as is always the case, once they're up, it's hard to get them back exactly as they were.

Some streets use posts to delineate where the footway separates from the roadway - there is often no kerb and a central gutter runs down the middle of the street to drain away rainwater. These posts are especially vulnerable as, when they are hit, they bring up with them the surrounding stones.

There are fewer workmen now who are skilled in laying this type of paving, which is arduous, slow and costly. So we now see that some areas are being replaced with geometric concrete tiles laid onto a cement base. Still reasonably attractive but nothing like the look of the original.

Of course, there are plenty of detractors for paving like this. It's quite slippery when wet, chews up high heels (doesn't it, Gabrielle?) and, when the stones ping out of place, makes a real trip hazard. Little wonder then that it is becoming less popular.

Below you can find a small gallery of some of the local pavement artwork. It's really beautiful and it would be such a shame to lose this characteristic, but rapidly diminishing form of Portuguese street ware.