Pasta tiles- Merida, Mexico

Pasta tiles have a complex history where they first originated in Barcelona, Spain in about 1850 by architects like Antoni Gaudi. These pasta tiles were recognized as durable, colorful, cooling properties, and a legacy to Barcelona, Spain. These pasta tile were originally used as ship ballasts for stabilizing boats these were put in the empty hulls of the boats on long voyages to Mexico. When they arrived to Merida in the Yucatan the Spanish began unloading these tiles to make room for the mexican goods like henequen. Soon the locals began recognizing the pasta tiles for their beauty and durability, making them a staple for building.

These pasta tiles are made of colored cement; they include multiple layers of cement and pigments. They can last up to 100 or more years because they are wear resistant, and unlike modern ceramic tiles, their composition helps cool interiors which is important in the tropical Yucatan weather. . The intricate colors signified wealth and status in grand colonial homes and haciendas.

These pasta tiles are hand made by artisans today in Merida, the design is often based on geometric, floral, Mayan inspired patterns and also european influence with local motifs. Pasta tiles are mainly popular in the Yucatan and some European or some historical buildings in Barcelona  and some Caribbean hotels due to their unique look.

Please enjoy some of the images from my visit to La Peninsular, a pasta tile factory here in Merida. They let us go behind the scenes to see how they were made.

This is the tile store where we get our tiles

Mold for the concrete color