Think of the word Portugal and, immediately, vibrant colors spring to mind: the gorgeous tones of terracotta roofs set against paper-white façades; marigold yellow cable cars and warm gray cobblestone streets; the Atlantic glittering on the horizon of coastal cities. The country offers scenes and vistas for every kind of traveler, but there’s something special about having the beauty of such a place captured and curated by an expert artist with a trained eye—and that’s exactly what the photographer, writer, and Condé Nast Traveler contributor Christine Chitnis has done in her new book Patterns of Portugal: A Journey Through Colors, History, Tiles & Architecture, out February 6.
In Patterns, Chitnis’ sublime photos tell a comprehensive tale of the tiny country’s history, distilling the conversations between the natural landscapes, the man-made terrain, and the quotidian lives of the Portuguese people who shape both. “My travels throughout Portugal were shaped by the people I met along the way, who extended to me the warmest reception I could have imagined,” writes Chitnis in the book’s introduction. “It became clear that the Portuguese take great pride in their country, and they are eager to show off its many gifts.”
The excerpted photographs below are accompanied by commentary provided by Chitnis. May they whisk you away from wherever you’re reading, or inspire your next visit to Portugal.
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