Alicatado: The splendor of traditional Spanish ceramic tiles
While ceramic tiles were already in use across the Arab world, the Maghreb and Spain for centuries, it would be Granada’s Nasrid clan who would take this style of architectural ornamentation to its peak.
From Roman tesserae to Hispano-Arab zellige
Students cleaning Hispano-Roman floor mosaic in Mérida.
Since Roman times, mosaics had been well-established form of architectural ornamentation in Spain where they were used for pavement, flooring and decorative murals.
Roman mosaics pieced together small equal-sized pieces of cut stone, precious stone and glass to form large geometric compositions like this floor from Mérida or rich polychromatic narrative scenes like this tableau of the Triumph of Bacchus found outside of Sevilla.
Unlike the Romans, Hispano-Arabs would rely on glazed and hand-painted terracotta to achieve greater variety in tile size, shape, and color.
This kind of ceramic tile decoration had been in use on the peninsula since the reign of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba. Hand-painted black and green terracotta tile make a shy contribution in the 10th century dome in the Great Mosque of that city and decorated the top of La Giralda, Sevilla’s 12th century minaret.
An artisan prepares ceramic tiles using the traditional alicatado (zellige) method, Dos de Arte Ediciones.
Before the 15th century, Andalusi artisans would cut small ceramic pieces from large monochrome terracotta panels. These blocks, aliceres, correspond to previously-made geometric designs based on precise mathematical calculations. This painstaking technique known as zellige in the Maghreb and alicatado in Spain would supplant stone-cutting.
Ceramic panels offered greater variety and a material that was far easier to manipulate.
Unlike Roman mosaics, Hispano-Arab alicatado eschews the need for uniform pieces and does away with stone-cutting.
By the 14th century, Andalusi mosaics became more complex as local artisans grew in expertise. The individual tiles got smaller and the color palette livelier with yellows and oranges becoming more prominent.
Detail of the wainscot of Salón de Comares in the Alhambra
Some of the greatest examples of Spanish tile is in the Alhambra.
After years of war among competing Muslim clans in southern Spain, the Nasrid kingdom of al-Andalus established their the capital in Granada in the 13th century. They quickly built the Alhambra, a fortified royal complex that served both military and residential needs.
These rooms would become famous for their architectural designs and ornamentation including its mocárabes of stalactite-like molded plaster, intricately carved wood ceilings, innovative irrigation systems, lush gardens and, last but not least, its vibrant ceramic tiles.
Andalusi ceramic tile mosaic in Patio de los Arrayanes, Alhambra
One of the grand courtyards in the Alhambra is the Patio de los Arrayanes where an array of colorful solid square tiles and 8-pointed stars form a latticework pattern reminiscent of mashrabiya screens typical in the Arab and Hispano-Arab cultures. These carved wooden screens, or celosías as they are known in Spain, are typically used in oriel windows to allow fresh air in and let residents survey the exteriors while safeguarding their privacy.
Our solid orange hand-painted ceramic tile is suited for interior and exterior decorations. Handmade in Spain, these tiles feature intricate patterns reminiscent of traditional Hispano-Arab designs.
Perfect for kitchen backsplash, kitchen floors, bathroom walls, patio floors, stairs and fireplaces.
Minimum order: Square meter or Lineal meter
20 × 20 cm: 25 pieces
15 × 15 cm: 45 pieces
10 × 10 cm: 100 pieces
7 × 7 cm: 14 pieces (1 lineal meter)
5 × 5 cm: 20 pieces (1 lineal meter)
Colors available: We offer about 18 different colors including our traditional blue, green, purple, and yellow. To order a different color other than the one listed, please get in touch.
Production Lead Time: Kindly note, while we do hold some stock, many of our items are made to order. If out of stock, the production lead time is 4-6 weeks. For updates on current availability, please contact hello@casapletorica.com.
Our Estrella On Terracota hand-painted ceramic tile is suited for interior and exterior decorations. Handmade in Spain, these tiles feature intricate patterns reminiscent of traditional Hispano-Arab designs.
Perfect for kitchen backsplash, kitchen floors, bathroom walls, patio floors, stairs and fireplaces.
Minimum order: 1 lineal meter
7 × 7 cm: 14 pieces
Colors available: We offer about 18 different colors including our traditional blue, green, purple, and yellow. To order a different color other than the one listed, please get in touch.
Production Lead Time: Kindly note, while we do hold some stock, many of our items are made to order. If out of stock, the production lead time is 4-6 weeks. For updates on current availability, please contact hello@casapletorica.com.
Above this intricate criss-cross pattern of field tiles, we find border tiles in the traditional almenilla style.
Cut in the shape of the merlons that crown battlement walls of fortified structures, almenilla tile remind us of the dual function of these buildings. Though adorned with mosaics, intricate plaster carvings, and horseshoe Moorish arches that delight the eye, these structures were built to house and defend.
Our Almenilla hand-painted ceramic tile is suited for interior and exterior decorations. Handmade in Spain, these tiles feature intricate patterns reminiscent of traditional Hispano-Arab designs.
Perfect for kitchen backsplash, kitchen floors, bathroom walls, patio floors, stairs and fireplaces.
Minimum order: 1 lineal meter:
7× 23 cm: 5 pieces
Colors available: We offer about 18 different colors including our traditional blue, green, purple, and yellow. To order a different color other than the one listed, please get in touch.
Production Lead Time: Kindly note, while we do hold some stock, many of our items are made to order. If out of stock, the production lead time is 4-6 weeks. For updates on current availability, please contact hello@casapletorica.com.
Nowadays, we find Hispano-Arab tiles in residences as well as historical buildings. Easy to wipe-clean, they are as beautiful as they are practical. Done in styles ranging from simple geometrics to ornate floral motifs, Spanish, Portuguese and Maghrebi tiling remains a versatile architectural ornament.
Applied to wainscoting, a kitchen backsplash or star riser, these colorful patterns imbue our spaces with that vibrant Mediterranean flair.
See our traditional Spanish tiles for more or get in touch for a custom order.
