Tile patterns old town Funchal, Madeira

[Old Crank]

There were a lot of sidewalks and plazas, along with streets which are largely pedestrian ways that have these black and white tiles. The work involved to lay them all is amazing. These are pretty thick tiles to help them stand up to the use.

[democrank]

1. Uniquely lovely

Thank you

[Old Crank]

7. Thanks.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Tremendous. I was unaware of this beauty. . . nt

[Old Crank]

8. I was also

There were a lot of this. They also have a lot of pictorial tile work on buildings.

[LoisB]

3. Amazing. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[Old Crank]

9. It helps keep me sane.

Glad you liked them.

[LoisB]

13. I wish I had photographic talent. I think the designs are awesome.

[Karadeniz]

4. WOOOOOWWWWW !!!!

[Old Crank]

10. My thoughts.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. All of that beauty--underfoot! These are just wonderful photos. Thank you, my dear Old Crank!

[Old Crank]

11. Normally in these old places I look up a lot more

But here there was as much going on under foot.

[Beringia]

6. Dedicated to craft and tradition

[Old Crank]

12. I can't imagine the time it took

just to put the tiles down. Let alone the design work and cutting.

[BarbD]

14. Brilliant Craftsmen

How old are these designs?

[Old Crank]

15. Don't know but the technique has been around since 1840.

Here is the wiki page on Portuguese pavement. I thought they were tiles but they are stones. Were common in Brazil also.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_pavement

[BarbD]

16. Thanks for the fascinating information.

Like so much art, it is a dying craft. Photography such as yours is the only way to preserve it for history. Thank you.