After the introduction of azulejos to Portugal their development was influenced by the large numbers of Moorish artisans working in the industry. Many years before this Southern Portugal was part of the arab world, and this left its mark on Portguese tastes. Subsequent trade re-inforced the passion for the exotic and rich patterns of the East. So it should come as no surprise that some azulejo patterns would look just as at home on an arab carpet.

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