Safeguarding Portuguese traditional glazed tile cultural heritage with GIS

Abstract

The Portuguese word for traditional glazed tile is “azulejo” and derives from the Arabic “azuleicha”, meaning ‘small polished stone’. Deeply embedded in Portugal’s history and culture, there are countless valuable examples of traditional glazed tiles all around the country that are a significant part of the Portuguese cultural heritage and must be safeguarded and protected. In recent years there has been an increased demand for individual tiles and panels by tourist, leading to a serious national problem not only with the tiles’ theft, but also with the built environment dilapidation. This paper introduces the role that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can play in the preservation and safeguard of traditional Portuguese glazed tile heritage, specifically on the record of these architectural elements. This technology is worldwide used to locate, inventory, manage and support heritage preservation, providing local authorities with a tool to manage tile architectural heritage interventions, enhance tourism purposes and preventing theft and illegal sale. The presented work results from a partnership between the University of Beira Interior (UBI) and Covilhã Municipality (Portugal) for the inventory of the city tile heritage. Record information sheets were developed with relevant information about the location, cultural, historic and photographic tile data. The information collected from 70 tile works was used to develop a GIS tool for glazed tile coated building facades, decorative glazed tile wall panels and toponymical glazed tile plates. The results of the first stage of GIS implementation were validated by both the research team and the municipality, foreseeing its expansion and daily use in the management of traditional Portuguese glazed tile heritage.