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.
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.
Came from the sugar cane islands.. 😉
Pineapples have been used in many logos in the hospitality industry here in the US. 😊 nice too!
I find it fascinating . . .maybe once we are allowed out I should go on a pineapple hunt!
You could go to Hawaii. Plenty of pineapple farms there. 😳 LOL!
😀 oh I would love to but a long way to go from here!!
It’s a long way to go for me too. Someday I’ll get back to the islands. 😊
Send us photos when you do!
What a delightful building and although I’d heard of pineapples being the symbol of hospitality, I’d forgotten it. 😀
Ooh glad it has triggered a memory, I never knew until I prepared the post!
I’ve seen it in Colonial Williamsburg motifs
ah!
Wonderful building. Pineapple thing is new information to me! Thank you for sharing Becky! 😊
So glad you enjoyed 🙂
Way high up!🍍 Nice architecture…
you found a pineapple emoj 😀
In patchwork and quilting patterns, pineapples mean good luck. I guess that’s similar. Isn’t this a beautiful building.
Such a lovely building, would love to peep inside but unfortunately not possible
Apparently in the early days, a single fruit cost the equivalent of £5000. A sculpted one was much cheaper. And wouldn’t rot either.
wow. That’s expensive, no wonder they rented them out!
Exactly. You wouldn’t dare eat any, would you?
I know . . hope they did though before it went rotten
I agree with Cee 🙂
Helps I was so far down below!
I guess on top. Great perspective on this photo 😀
I was about 30ft below!
Ooh, a bonus square! And a lovely building.
It is lovely isn’t, wouldn’t mind living here!
Room for us both.
Probably me too! Sounds like trouble 🙁
Sounds fun 😀
definitely 🙂
And Jo. 🙃
Good job it’s a big place!