PORTUGAL: Calçada Portuguesa

Many of the sidewalks throughout Portugal have beautiful mosaic patterns of generally black and white limestone tiles. 

These tiled sidewalks are called "calcada portuguesa". 

Historical background: After the great earthquake in 1755 many of the towns and village were destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. The rubble of the old buildings was reshaped into tiles and used for pavement. Today we would call that "upcycling" or "repurposing".  

It would be back breaking and time consuming work (in some instances they used convict labour.) The craftspeople are called "calceteiros" and as expected, there are fewer and fewer people going into the trade.  

The mosaics are made into interesting patterns, mostly historical and with references to the sea.

This one is called Mar Largo and is in Rossio Square in Lisbon. It was a bit disorienting walking on it, and I can not imagine how it would feel walking on it after a few ginginjas. 

This is the city of Lisbon's emblem. It is a caravel, the specific Portuguese boat that was used during their Period of Discovery. 

Upside, they are very pretty.

Downside, they are slippery, even when they are not wet, and would be treacherous when wet. 

Wet or dry, they would create havoc on high heels.  

These statues are a homage to the calceteiros and their backbreaking trade.

(Note: I don't see them wearing high heels....)