A Cheery Historic Cement Tile Floor at this Pousada in Ouro Preto

This lively traditional cement tile design adds color and life to Pousada Solar Nossa Senhora das Merces in the beautiful town of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

A Mix of Floral and Geometric Tile Designs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

These patchwork decorative cement tiles (ladrilhos hidraulicos) send a cheerful message of "anything goes" to prospective shoppers at this clothing store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Photographer: Fabrício Alves Vieira

A Traditional Cement Tile Design in Entryway in Salvador do Bahia

In this usual combination of field and border cement tiles, both the circles and the stars link and loop together. These historic Brazilian cement tiles (ladrilhos hidráulicos) were probably hand made in Bahia, Brazil.

A Wide Border Made up of Multicolored Cement Tiles in Rio de Janeiro

This Rio de Janeiro clothing shop (loja) welcomes customers with a large cement tile (ladrilho hidraulico) rug. The rug sports six different tile designs, plus a surrounding border of matching solid colored tiles.

Photographer: Fabrício Alves Vieira

Cement Tile Counterfront Installation at the Entrance to a Cafe in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Patchwork cement tile (ladrilho hidráulico) at the entrance to a cafe in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cement Tile Ovals Design in Santa Teresa Cafe in Rio, Brazil

Probably not too historic, these cement tiles at a cafe in Santa Teresa have a distinctly modern elegance. A fine example of Brazilian handmade cement tile.

Cement Tile Patchwork Design in Cafeina Cafe, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

A wild and whimsical patchwork cement tile floor in Cafeina Cafe, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cement Tile Patchwork Design in Salvador do Bahia, Brazil

Even outside Rio, cement tiles turn up, such as the fun patchwork floor in Salvador.

Photographer: Granada Tile company

Classic cement tiles in a great early 20th-century Parisian patisserie in Rio de Janeiro

Great pastry and fabulous concrete tiles are hard to resist. Here are new photos of the elaborate, historic cement tiles (aka ladrilhos hidraulicos or encaustic tiles) at the Confeitaria Colombo in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

Photographer: Fabrício Alves Vieira

Classy Black, Grey, White and Red Historic Cement Tiles in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This lovely and tasty Cafe Geraes in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil has the perfect historic cement tile floors to go with fine food and drink.

Decorative Cement Tiles in a Geometric Pattern at the Confeitaria Colombo in downtown Rio de Janeiro

Great pastry and fabulous concrete tiles are hard to resist. Here are new photos of the elaborate, historic cement tile (aka ladrilhos hidraulicos or encaustic tiles) installations at the Confeitaria Colombo in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

Photographer: Fabrício Alves Vieira

Decorative Cement Tiles in a Geometric Pattern in Brazil

These worn but intriguing historic Brazilian cement tiles grace the foyer of this community theater in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Decorative Cement Tiles in a Geometric Pattern with a Carpet Layout in Iglesia da Gloria

Elaborate geometrical patterns of historic cement tiles (ladrilho hidraulico) in subtle shades of grey at this church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Photographer: Granada Tile company

Elaborate concrete floor tiles at the Confeitaria Colombo in Rio de Janeiro

Cement tiles (ladrilhos hidraulicos) welcome visitors to the Confeitaria Colombo in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil and its amazing historic concrete tile installations.

Photographer: Granada Tile company

Elaborate geometrical patterns of historic cement tiles (ladrilho hidraulico) at a church

Varied geometrical patterns of historic cement tiles (ladrilho hidraulico) in subtle shades of grey, accented occasionally by vermillion, at this church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Geometric Cement Tiles in Amazonias Shop in Ouro Preto

In a shop inspired by the Amazons, the historic Brazilian cement tiles do their part to add color and life to the scene. Look for Amazonias in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Geometric Historic Cement Tile in the Foyer of the Casa do Amarelind

Because Brazil has such incredible natural store resources, many historic installations of cement tiles in Brazil combine cement tile with natural stone. The historic cement tile in this Foyer of the Casa do Amarelindo serves as a spectacular accent.

Geometric Pattern Cement Tile Installation of Tony Praia Flamingo Apartments

Discreet modern cement tile (ladrilho hidraulico) on exterior walls of an upscale Praia Flamingo apartment building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Modern Cement Tile Sidewalk in Sao Paolo, Brazil

This sidewalk does all of the walking for you with its lively pattern of alternating straight and zigzag lines in these chic, modern cement tiles in Sao Paolo, Brazil. For the entire length of this short street, the sidewalks are paved with this same hypnotizing pattern. Lining these cement tile sidewalks are a group of fancy Italian restaurants and boutiques.