Sep 23, 2025
I am a huge fan of one of the most prominent architectural elements of the traditional architecture of the Algarve: the platband (platibanda). I found this one in Manta Rota… and I love it to pieces.
seen from Canada
seen from Russia
seen from Malaysia
seen from Malaysia
seen from Taiwan
seen from Czechia
seen from Macao SAR China
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Malaysia
seen from Taiwan
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Kyrgyzstan
seen from China
seen from Bulgaria
seen from Malaysia
I am a huge fan of one of the most prominent architectural elements of the traditional architecture of the Algarve: the platband (platibanda). I found this one in Manta Rota… and I love it to pieces.
In the traditional architecture of the Algarve, these pediments are called "platibandas" - and this is one of the prettiest platibandas in the entire city of Faro. Actually, this is one of the pretiest platibandas I have ever seen in the Algarve as a whole… or, to be honest, this is oe of the prettiest platibandas I have ever seen, period. And yes, I have alreay posted this beauty before.
Probably, the one of the prettiest platibandas (friezes) in Tavira.
The building in question is located in the Liberty Street (Rua da Liberdade), and used to be a well-known boarding house. After some years of decadence, the building has been fully restored, and I believe that, sooner or later, will return to its original function.Also, it's good to see that, unlike many cities in Algarve, Tavira is preserving the best examples of its civil architecture.
It's not a secret to anyone that I love vernacular architecture. It's not a secret that I have a soft spot for these friezes that, in southern Portugal (ie, the Alentejo and, especially, the Algarve) are called platibandas. And some platibandas are quite something. But I am not sure about this one - it's lost somewhere between between really tacky and really cool. But that's the charming of vernacular architecture, isn't it?
Oh, the art of being garish and colouful, tastefull and naff at the same time.
There are several houses with interesting platibandas (friezes) in the small town of São Brás de Alportel. However, I firmly believe none beats this one.
There is a handful of houses with beautiful platibandas (friezes) in the village of Santo Estevão. But this one is, easily, the most beautiful.
One of the most amazing things in traditional architecture of the Algarve are the platibandas (friezes), and I have to say that some are really, really beautiful. This one - found in the village of Moncarapacho - is a good example, albeit the platibanda and the whole house deserved a bit of work.
There are a few houses in the small town of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo that have interesting platibandas/friezes, but this one is my favourite. I wonder when was this house built...