Oct. 25, 2015 A Country Paved in Tiles

Unlike the pilgrim of The Way, who trekked across Russia, ours is through a country about the size of Indiana. And unlike the pilgrim who traveled the rural paths ours is mainly through towns and cities.

As we work our way through the large and small cities, Tomar, Coimbra, Aveiro among them, I have noted an unusual line of commonality threading its way through each site. Artfully designed sidewalks of calcium carbonate and basalt tiles pave the streets in geometrical and or symbolic patterns. They speak to the ubiquitous presence of art throughout the country. The designs vary from city to city depending on local traditions and geographical locations. Each morning as I put boots to the ground, or to the tiles in this case, a clearly delineated magical path leads the way.

Lisbon