Portuguese colonial architecture

Portuguese colonial architecture is all about the buildings that were built by the Portuguese in places that were once colonies of Portugal. In simpler terms, it's about the style of buildings built by the Portuguese before they left these countries.

Imagine if you went to a friend's house and noticed that their house looked very different from your own house. This would be a bit like what happened when the Portuguese went to colonies like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and Goa. They built buildings that looked different from what the people in those countries were used to seeing.

So what did these buildings look like? The Portuguese used a lot of materials that were common in the countries they were building in. These included things like wood, stone and bricks. They also used brightly coloured tiles to decorate the outsides of buildings.

One thing that was common in Portuguese colonial architecture was the use of arches. Arches are curved shapes that help support a building. The Portuguese also liked to use big, thick walls. These walls would help keep the inside of the building cool even on a hot day.

In some places, the Portuguese also built forts, like the Fort of São João Baptista in Mozambique. These forts were meant to protect the colonies from invaders. They were often built in strategic locations, like near the coast.

Overall, Portuguese colonial architecture is all about the style of buildings that the Portuguese built when they had colonies in other parts of the world. It's a fascinating topic that helps us understand how different cultures influence each other when they come into contact.