Azulejos in Mijas Pueblo

 Look what gorgeous tile works I found in Mijas!

I just love these ceramic tiles!

The first samples of glazed ceramic used in architecture dates back to the end of the 12th Century. Experts seem to connect the techniques used and their profuse application with Persian architecture, and suspect that the families of potters that emigrated to Al Andalus (Andalusia) could have influenced the development of arabesque tiling in the 14th and 15th Centuries following the invasion of Gen Gis Khan in Iran.

The use of tiled paving and stays became an extended custom in the south of Spain. Before 1240, lbn Said made reference to the ceramic tiles manufactured in Andalusia, where it was used in the facing of houses called a-zala,iyi (tiles). According to this chronicler, "it had a wide variety of colours and replaced the coloured marble used by the Orientals to embellish their homes."

The arabesque tiles show how cultural elements developed and their designs became progressively more complex, with meticulous geometrical shapes, requiring more virtuous elaboration, as can be seen from the tiles that decorate some of the rooms of the Alhambra of Granada.

Here're more pics of the small white town of Mijas.

One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is 

the beautiful little village of Mijas, 

which nestles comfortably in the mountainside 

at 428 meters above sea level; 

the population is 7.500 inhabitants.

Mijas Pueblo has somehow managed to retain much 

of its traditional Andalucian way of life, 

the locals displaying their unabashed passion 

for all things festive and an unmistakable 

relaxed 'mañana' outlook on anything that can be put off 

for another day.