As Algarve’s raw natural beauty calls for artistic creativity, let’s explore some facets of Algarve’s artistic creativity visible publicly through various pieces of architectural or street art.
How not to start with religious architecture. Roman catholicism was central in Algarve and elsewhere in Portugal. It sustained the Portuguese monarchy’s geopolitical and economic ambitions during the Renaissance period, including colonialism and slavery. Nowadays, Roman catholicism has much less traction in Algarve’s social life.
Contemporary and traditional street art
Gladly, non-official artistic creation in public spaces has been always part of Algarve’s social life. Algarve’s major towns, Faro in the east and Lagos in the west, have a vibrant contemporary street art culture. However, I found Olhão very special. With old and run-down buildings morphed into fascinating artistic creations, the small city has turned into the street art capital of Algarve.
Street art is found also in small traditional villages throughout Algarve region. Often hard to spot, it shines on walls , in alleys or corners. Decorated entry doors of private houses speak volume about local inhabitants’ socio-religious values, artistic tastes and pride for their homes.
The Moors deeply influenced the culture of the Algarve region. Whitewashed buildings, rooftops, carved wooden doors are historical legacies of Moorish culture. So are the colourful painted ceramic tiles (azulejos) introduced in the Iberian peninsula by the Moors and inspired by Roman mosaics and Persian geometric patterns. In more recent times, Algarve revisited azulejos to crystallise and share its history and culture.
Marine street art
Close to Santa Luzia, the nearby Praia do Barril beach harbours a so-called “anchor cemetery”, where rusting anchors stand as a tribute to the local tuna fishing heritage. Anchors of all shapes and sizes spared from old or wrecked fishing boats were set on the beach in an orderly manner, left to rust in the saline air and to roast under the implacable sun.
The anchors’ resting place on the Mediterranean sea shore distills an extraordinary energy. It summarises the history and culture of the Algarve region. Open to the vast expanses beyond the horizon, eager to travel afar to meet with different people. Nevertheless proud of, and bound to, its birth roots. Let alone the colonialist part of Algarve’s history in medieval times, this could be also my personal history.
Cheers,
