Azulejo is the word used in Spain and Portugal for a glazed tile: a terracotta tile covered with an opaque glaze. The word comes from the Arabic al-zillīj, meaning “polished stone.” Its history stretches back to the centuries of Islamic presence on the Iberian Peninsula. Early tiles focused on intricate geometric mosaics, carefully cut and assembled into mesmerizing patterns. Some of the most stunning examples survive at the Alhambra.

When Christian kingdoms reclaimed southern Spain, the tradition evolved. Seville became a major production center from the 13th to the 16th centuries, blending Islamic design with Gothic and Renaissance influences. This fusion style is known as Mudéjar, and it gives Spanish azulejos their distinctive character. Walk through the Alcázar of Seville and you’ll see geometric Islamic patterns gradually mixing with figurative scenes and European decorative elements.

By the 16th century, Italian artists brought the majolica technique to Spain, allowing artists to paint detailed figurative scenes directly onto tiles: religious images, mythological stories, hunting scenes, and family crests. Tiles stopped being seen as mere patterned surfaces and became storytelling mediums. Cities like Talavera de la Reina and Valencia flourished as centers of tile production. Churches, monasteries, noble homes, and public buildings were richly decorated, with examples like the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Prado showcasing vibrant tilework covering chapels and altars.