Dear ArchitectureWeek,

Portugal was a big surprise to me. I'd read up on the country's history and culture before leaving on my trip. But nowhere in my reading was there a hint that Portugal is home to architectural traditions that I have found nowhere else in my travels.

Unusual decorative touches are present on many private residences and public buildings. Most of these, such as tile mosaics, or bands of color (usually blue to ward off the "evil eye") across the front of the house or around the windows, are vestiges of a Moorish past.

The Portuguese don't simply lay down concrete for sidewalks. Every sidewalk and plaza is composed of small stones or marble chips, often set in decorative patterns that enhance and coordinate with the surrounding buildings. This is apparent not only in major cities, but in smaller towns, villages, and suburbs.

The most unusual touches, though, are decorative finials on the roofs of private residences. They are usually 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) tall and are often simple spirals, two or more to a rooftop. Others lend an oriental flavor, positioned on the tip ends of slightly upturned roof edges. In the Algarve region, large rectangular chimneys appear as decorative touches, usually two to a roof when only one has a practical purpose.

On the road in Portugal,

Kitty Meredith