Pineapples on top

In the 16th century pineapples were the height of sophistication, and those aristocrats who couldn’t afford one were able to rent one for the evening as a centrepiece for their banqueting table. And it wasn’t just on tables they appeared, they also turned up in art and in architecture. Apparently if there was a pineapple on a gate post, staircase or in this case on the roof you could expect great hospitality and luxury.

pineapple on top in Mertola

This is another snapshot post for #SquareTops, but if you fancy exploring more of Mértola where this delightful building and others can be found visit here and/or here.

Author: BeckyB

It had been a good life walking, cooking, photographing, volunteering, blogging, and best of all spending time with MrB, family, & friends. Sadly it is no longer what it was, as suddenly and unexpectedly I became a widow.

40 thoughts

  1. I am still catching up with some of the tops posts I’d missed via your gallery. How long ago was that now? This is a very elegant top. 🙂

  3. Hi Becky, I’d never heard any of this about pineapples. It seems to me that if having a pineapple centerpiece implied you were wealthy and sophisticated, renting one would be kind of lame. Imposters! Thanks for filling me in on the intricacies of pineapple decor.

    1. It is brilliant isn’t it . . . . we might all be renting pineapples by the end of this lockdown!

  4. Pingback: We’ve reached the top! | The life of B

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