Tiles adorn inner walls, exterior walls, churches, train stations, stores, restaurants, benches, street signs, etc.
In the early 1500’s, King Manuel I visited Seville, Spain and enjoyed seeing the ceramic tiles throughout the city. He then came back to Portugal and decorated his castle in Sintra with tiles. As often happens, Monarchs can set the styles of the people, and the use of tiles as decorations then became popular in Portugal. 
Portuguese tiles were used for different purpose. In churches they were used to cover the blank and deteriorating walls of Gothic churches and to tell religious stories. In Lisbon, buildings near the Tagus river used exterior tiles to protect them from the moisture from the river and to keep the buildings clean. 
The use of glazed tiles began in Egypt centuries ago. They were brought to Portugal with the Moors in the 13thcentury. At that time the designs were geometric patterns and had no human figures on them, as per Islamic law. The colours were blue, yellow, green and white.
Inside homes they were also used to protect the surfaces from moisture in places like the kitchen. They provided a degree of insulation, by cooling in the summer and retaining heat in the winter.
They were also used as decorations to show wealth, status and prestige.
They told stories from the bible, battles, ships at sea, and everyday life.
Since we no longer have a home, I don't feel the need to order truckloads of tiles to keep one step ahead of our neighbours.
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