In Lisbon, Portugal, many of the buildings are adorned with tile. Many of the tiles are hand-glazed and unique to a particular building. Some feel manufactured or at the very least, stenciled.

Some of the buildings covered with tile feature gaping holes where people have stolen the tile. As souvenirs. To sell to tourists. And for other reasons. I’m not sure why people do this when they can walk around and get pictures of as many tiles as they like.

(Incidentally, yet importantly, there’s a very well done account on Instagram that highlights an art project drawing attention to the loss of culture and beauty when people steal these tiles called Stolen Tiles of Lisbon. Check it out!)

Here are a bunch of tiles I took photos of during my three full days in Lisbon. I could have taken many more.