Terracotta tiles and flagstones

They come from Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Each country, region has its own specific flagstones depending on the clay that has been used. The Portuguese terracotta flagstones for instance, have more red clay, the Spanish flagstones red and yellow clay, the French pink and white and the Italian flagstones are the only ones to be made from brown coloured clay. The most common sizes vary between square, octagonal and oblong.

Terracotta flagstones are flagstones with an artistic appearance. In ancient times, Mesopotamia 2800 BC, bricks and tiles were made from terracotta for defending city walls, floor coverings and wall decorations of important sanctuaries. Some archaeologists believe that the invention of baked clay in these flagstones and other forms of art originated simultaneously among the Chinese and the Sumerians from Mesopotamia (In the area of current Iraq terracotta flagstones or terracotta tiles were first used (architectural material from around 1200 BC)). The temples of clay and terracotta flagstones, floor coverings and wall decorations (575 BC), were enriched by using terracotta materials.

In the Middle Ages, the two-coloured inlayed terracotta floor tiles were an essential part of the architecture and decoration of churches, castles and stately homes. These terracotta tiles were widespread in Northern Europe, especially in France and England.

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