Thursday, August 16, 2012

Stone Stairs


The Alfama district sits on one of Lisbon's seven hills. Although very damaged, many buildings there have survived the Great Earthquake in 1755 and, due to the high location, they weren't hit by the tsunami that followed the earthquake, which destroyed the whole downtown. I'm not sure about this building, but these stairs full of scars do indeed look very old.

27 comments:

VP said...

An aging masterpiece, step by step!

Dina said...

Tiles on stairs, and so old!

JM, I have been way too busy with touring visitors for so long that I got behind on blog visiting. But seeing all the posts at once, like now, has its advantages. I realize what great diversity you have in your posts.

Kathy said...

The tiles are beautiful!

Olivier said...

ces mosaïques dans l'escalier sont magnifiques. Tu as vraiment de belles choses a nous montrer

Sharon said...

These blue and white tiles really appeal to me.

Halcyon said...

A beautiful stairway even with the scars. I am sure I've said this before, but I love that Portuguese style tile. It's intricate and simple at the same time. :)

cieldequimper said...

Now that would definitely help when walking up! I wonder if one ever tires of beauty...

Sylvia K said...

I have to say "ditto" to everything that Halcyon has written! I, too, love the signature Portuguese tile! Always beautiful, old or new! Wonderful old staircase! Wonderful captures, JM! Enjoy your weekend!

TexWisGirl said...

interesting tile.

LindyLouMac said...

Did you know your blog is suffering from the dreaded pop up adds when one clicks comment! I have come across a few of these recently and even my own has suffered, they are a real pain this new kind of Spam.
Anyway besides that minor irritation I just adore this staircase and would love to live there just for the stairs. :)

orvokki said...

Näitä portaita pitkin nousu on kuin leikkiä. Kaunis mosaiikkikuvio.

Rob Siemann said...

They actually look totally worn, but 'topped up' with some cement or concrete.

Kate said...

I never tire of seeing the beautiful tiles you post, even when they are worn and old, the beauty remains.

Lowell said...

If these stairs have been there since 1755 I'd say they are in pretty good shape! But one can certainly see the wear and tear. Portuguese tiles are always beautiful!

Thanks for the comment. I think that's a wonderful idea and look forward to seeing more of you!

theconstantwalker said...

The tiles are fantastic to see.. so your lovely country..

Diane said...

Old maybe but so beautiful. Diane

ArtandArchitecture-SF.com said...

I so love tile work, and especially the blue and white ones. These are so gorgeous and just make my heart sing to see a whole stairway of them.

Kay said...

What a beautiful stairway! Nice find! I'm guessing that their original wear has been revamped by another layer of stones. . .

Oh, how I'd hate to have to move in or out of that top floor!

jennyfreckles said...

Beautiful tiles, they look very old.

Carolina Louback said...

Patrimônio belíssimo.

Randy said...

So very beautiful. I love the tile.

Jack said...

Very interesting, JM. Two of the steps seem to have had more tile damage and replacements than the others. I think they are where another path joins the steps. Great image!

Bob Crowe said...

I've visited Lisbon only once, and briefly at that, but I do not remember stairs with azuelos (don't know the Portuguese word) on the front of each step. They look like something between a wedding cake and a ziggerat.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous.. love the perspective!

Joan Elizabeth said...

This is so beautiful. The scars turn it into a work or art.

Gunn said...

This I like.

Unknown said...

I love Lisbon. Had only three days there this summer and rode the tourist bus with my mother and my cousin. Mother is getting to old to walk and walk in the hot sun.

These are the things one sees and wants to photograph when on a walking expedition. Such antiquity is precious.