[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]Built over three floors and spanning 1800 square meters, the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is truly a unique window into the country’s history, culture, talent and innovation. From the moment you step into the surrounding square until you reach the pavilion’s stunning rooftop, you will notice each space reveals distinctive natural elements. Together they paint a picture of Portuguese tradition, but also show early traces of Arabic influence in the identity of our country.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here we list four examples – some of the most iconic trademarks of the Portugal Pavilion. Next time you visit us at Expo, take the time to wonder at these seemingly small details…they might just show you a beautiful piece of Portuguese history!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_images_carousel images=”6141,6196″ img_size=”full” speed=”7000″ wrap=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]Before you’re greeted at reception, you will notice the patterns of black and white limestone that gracefully decorate the square outside the pavilion, introducing you to the\u00a0traditional Portuguese pavement<\/strong>\u00a0or, as we call it,\u00a0Cal\u00e7ada Portuguesa<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It originated in the 15th century, but it was not until\u00a0the 19th century, when the city of Lisbon suffered a profound transformation, that it became the country’s most popular form of urban paving. From that point onwards, the style spread to Portuguese overseas territories, and to this day can still be found in pedestrian areas across Macao, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, India or Timor-Leste.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But it is in Portugal that this mosaic art form finds its deepest expression. Wherever in the country you travel, you will encounter true masterpieces beneath your feet – sidewalks, squares, and countless public spaces covered with this asymmetric limestone, laid out in a sort of puzzle with an endless series of decorative motifs and intricate designs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_images_carousel images=”6167,6163,6169,6151,6147″ img_size=”full” speed=”7000″ wrap=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]As you begin your journey through the Portuguese Pavilion, you will see much is inspired by the Azulejo<\/em><\/strong>, from the walls of the various rooms to the multimedia projections of our exhibition, not to mention the fashionable uniforms of our team!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The word\u00a0azulejo<\/em>\u00a0stems from Arabic roots, meaning ‘polished stone’, and these colourful hand-painted tiles are deeply embedded in Portuguese history and culture. They date as far back as the 13th century, when the Moors invaded the land that now belongs to Spain and Portugal, but they secured their foothold in Portuguese culture between the 16th and 17th centuries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their numerous designs often portray scenes from the country’s history, show its most ravishing sights, or simply serve as decorative street signs, nameplates, or house numbers. In Portuguese towns and cities, you will see\u00a0azulejos<\/em>\u00a0decorate everything from walls of churches and monasteries to palaces, ordinary houses, park seats, fountains, shops, and train stations. If you wish to take home a piece of this Portuguese tradition, visit the Portugal Concept Store<\/a> on the ground floor of our pavilion, where you will find beautiful replicas of these hand-painted tiles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_images_carousel images=”6208,6165,6171,6175,6181,6201″ img_size=”full” speed=”7000″ wrap=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak tree, and is one of Portugal\u2019s most important natural resources<\/strong>. Its most recognized use is for wine stoppers, but the recent invention of cork fabric has revolutionized the industry, which now features highly diversified applications, from construction to energy production, fashion and design, and even space exploration! Try and spot the countless examples at the Portugal Pavilion: from the outdoor amphitheater all the way to the restaurant\u2019s seating areas, cork takes on infinite shapes and forms as a shining example of innovation!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Soft and lightweight, resistant, recyclable, hypoallergenic and with thermal and acoustic qualities, it is truly one of the world\u2019s most exceptional raw materials. It is also extremely eco-friendly \u2013 to harvest cork, trees are manually stripped (never cut down) and after each harvest the tree\u2019s bark undergoes a natural regeneration process, which actually increases its ability to absorb CO2. For this reason, cork oak forests \u2013 Montado<\/em> in Portuguese \u2013 are living ambassadors of sustainability and a driving force of sustainable development<\/strong>. They play a crucial role in the world\u2019s ecological balance, fighting climate change and desertification and sustaining biodiversity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nCAL\u00c7ADA PORTUGUESA (TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE PAVEMENT)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
AZULEJO<\/strong><\/h6>\n
CORK<\/strong><\/h6>\n