Facade catholicism: a study on the tiled logic of portuguese devotional plaques on residential facades in the Historic Center of São Luís, Maranhão

Abstract

The Historic Center of São Luís, Maranhão, preserves residences that hark back to the colonial period, with facades adorned by ceramic tilework that has become emblematic of the city’s identity. This azulejo tradition gained prominence during the height of the Pombaline era, marked by the establishment of the Grão-Pará and Maranhão Trading Company. Beyond the conventional decorative motifs, however, one observes the emergence of a distinct typology that reflects a new functional logic. The devotional plaque is a type of religious ceramic tile mosaic incorporated into these constructions with purposes quite distinct from those of conventional models, which typically cover entire façades. This prompted the need to understand the social symbolism of these sacred icons by establishing an intrinsic relationship between the architectural setting, its components, and the urban history of São Luís. Therefore, this study seeks to determine whether such ornamentation became a material expression of Catholic devotion or merely a symbol of household protection inherited from Portuguese culture.