Historical facts about Portugal
Discover Portugal with Lux Invicta!What is said about Portugal: I
know no other country where you can see so much in one day, from the
magnificence of the river Douro to the beauty of the plains of Alentejo,
passing by the hills and highlands of Beira Interior
... There is
nothing better than to come out of the beach in the evening and eat some
fresh grilled fish, accompanied by a simple glass of wineAlex Ellis, former British ambassador in Portugal Martin Page, author of The First Global Village said that Portugal was the first global village. Which Financial Times added: Martin Page gives us a new perspective on a fascinating country
| General Information | | CLICK TO EXPAND + |
Portugal
is one of the countries with the oldest borders in Europe. You may find
here a great diversity of landscape within short distance, a mild
climate with 3000 hours of sunshine per year, 850 km of splendid beaches
bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. You may find yet a unique architectural
and cultural heritage, a delicious cuisine coupled with excellent wines,
all this makes Portugal a destination to visit! Foundation - One of the countries with the oldest borders in the world. Its independence dates back to 1143. Origin of “Portugal”
– Portus Cale was the name given to an ancient county in the North of
Portugal, during the Roman Empire and middle ages. Means beautiful or
warm port. Portucale evolved into Portugale during the 7th and 8th
centuries, and by the 9th century.
Location - Located in
southwestern Europe, the westernmost country of Europe, bordered by
Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and
west. Has two archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira and the
Azores.
Area - Total 92,090 km2, with a population of about 10 562 inhabitants
Capital – Lisbon (2 million inhabitants). The second largest city, Porto. Followed by Coimbra and Braga.
Language - Portuguese
(Latin roots) also spoken in countries like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique,
Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor and also in all over
the world where are emigrants communities and where Portuguese sailors
arrived in their discoveries, such as some former colonies like Goa in
India.
Climate - Temperate Mediterranean
Currency - Like most countries in the European Community, Portugal implemented the Euro € in 2002
Government - Democratic
Republic with semi-presidential regime. Hierarchy: President of the
Republic, Prime Minister and Government, Parliament. Portugal was a
monarchy between 1143 until 5th October 1910, date of the establishment
of the republic.
Main Holidays
January 1 - New Year
Mobile - Holy Friday
Mobile - Easter
April 25 - Freedom Day
May 1 – Labour’s Day
June 10 - Day of Portugal
August 15 - Our Lady
December 8 - Immaculate Conception
December 25 - Christmas
Phone code – 00351
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With
such a big coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal witnessed many
arrivals and departures. This fact made the Portuguese since the very
beginning an open nation to the world and to communication. We absorbed
civilizations of various origins: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians,
Romans, Nordic tribes and Moorish from North Africa. In the XII century
became independent, thanks to its first King Afonso Henriques, the
Conqueror. A century later with the conquest of the Algarve, Portugal
defines its national borders, kept until the present day.
In 1290
King Dinis establishes the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in
Europe. In the end of the 14th century and then 15th century, the
Portuguese were the first to sail to Africa, the Far East and South
America. In 1497 Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India. In
1500 Pedro Alvares Cabral discovers Brazil. In 1543 Francisco Zeimoto
discovers the island of Japan, making Nagasaki a Portuguese colony.
The Portuguese arrived into the 4 corners of the world. Portugal
revolutionized cartography, took the tea to England, firearms and
tempura to Japan, introduced in India a higher education and the turkey
animal, and took the chocolates and diamonds to Belgium (Flanders and
Antwerp) and to the Netherlands.
From the Age of Discoveries, was
born a new mood into Portugal: the hospitality, and warm welcomers! The
way of having relationships with all people of the world. Our
architecture style “Manueline” also stayed in everywhere the sailors
travelled, a style that incorporates architectural elements such as
maritime motifs, armillary sphere, the cross of Christ (Templars),
corals, algae, cable ships and palm-columns.
After a dynastic crisis
that ends in 1640, Portugal takes all its strength and vigor. In the
18th century, King João V ordered the construction of the Palace of
Mafra with gold from Brazil, one of the biggest in all Europe.
In 1910 the Republic is established and in 1986 Portugal joins the European Community. |
| Heritage and Architecture | | CLICK TO EXPAND + |
Portugal
is quite rich in architectural and natural Heritage. Monasteries,
castles, palaces, historical villages, forts, museums and Natural
Heritage.
Unesco World Heritage Sites in Portugal:
1. The historic center of Angra do Heroísmo, Azores
2. Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, Lisbon
3. Monastery of Batalha, Batalha
4. Convent of Christ, Tomar
5. Historic centre of Évora, Évora
6. Monastery of Alcobaça, Alcobaça
7. Cultural landscape of Sintra
8. Historic centre of Porto
9. Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley
10. The Laurissilva forest of Madeira Island
11. Historic centre of Guimarães
12. The Douro Wine region
13. Vineyard culture Landscape of the Pico Island, Azores
14. Fortifications of Elvas
Yet
to mention from Brazil to Tanzania, from Paraguai to Sri Lanka, the
Portuguese left landmarks of tremendous value, classified by UNESCO, as a
result of the Portuguese presence in many corners of the world.
The Romans in Portugal: from
the 3rd century BC, the Romans left Portugal in the Latin language, as
well as many villages, cities, roads and bridges, for example Braga
(Bracara Augusta), Évora (Liberalitas Julia), Conímbriga and Chaves
(Aquae Flaviae).
They left throughout the entire country buildings
that remain until this day, magnificent engineering works, such as
bridges, aqueducts, baths, and theaters.
The Roman temple of Évora
(1st century d.C), is one of the greatest symbols of the Roman presence
in Portugal and the imperial cult, as well as the city of Conímbriga
with its magnificent tiled floors.
The Islamic presence: Islamic
art as well as the whole Islamic influence developed in Portugal during
the Muslim occupation between 712 and 1249. In art, the Horseshoe arch
as well as the tiles are the most striking presence in Portuguese
territory of Muslim presence. We were able to find traces and
archeological findings in the cities and towns of Mértola, Faro, Elvas
and Sintra. The north African Moorish introduced new agricultural plants
and trees such as orange, almond and the fig tree. Introduced new
techniques of water use as the Nora (watermill), the picota shadoof
(well sweep) and dams, developing the handicraft, the tile and mosaics
factories, the leather and the carpets.
The Romanesque: During
the reconquest wars of Portugal, 12th and 13th century, it was
necessary to regain territory and defend it against the Moors, as such
it was necessary to build strongholds, castles, cathedrals, churches in
order to keep Christianity safe. These Christian Temples were heavy
structures, with very thick walls, few openings, narrow windows, in the
shape of a Latin cross, with one or three naves, and even sometimes with
battlements. We can still find some of these monuments in Portugal,
mainly in the North.
The Lisbon Cathedral, the Old Cathedral of
Coimbra and the Parish Church Our Lady in Terena are exponents of the
Romanesque in Portugal.
The Gothic: The gothic art began in
Portugal in the end of the 12th century and lives until the end of the
15th century, when the Manueline style (late Gothic) appeared. The
expansion of the Gothic art occurred largely thanks to religious orders
that built throughout the country monasteries and convents in order to
honor Christian Saints and establish rules of worshiping, these new
temples were far more impressive than the last ones.
The Gothic first
appeared in Alcobaça Monastery, thanks to King Afonso Henriques (1178)
and delivered to the Cistercian Order. The greatest landmark of Gothic
architecture in Portugal is the Monastery of Batalha, built by King John
I to commemorate the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 against the
Castillians.
The Manueline: Or Late Gothic, also known as
Flame Gothic, was an ornamental style existing strictly in Portugal,
started during the reign of King Manuel I until the reign of King John
II. A style inspired in the Portuguese Discoveries.
Its dominant
feature is the exuberance. It incorporates many naturalistic and
symbolic elements, as the armillary sphere, the cross of Christ
(Templars), corals, algae, cable ships and palm-columns.
An
emblematic example of the Manueline style is the Jeronimos Monastery,
built by King Manuel I, after the return of Vasco da Gama of India
(1502).
The Baroque: The Baroque was introduced in Portugal in
1580 until 1756, a little later than the rest of Europe due to a major
crisis experienced in the country. It was during the reign of King John
V, 18th century that the Baroque art took its place and finest examples.
A few year later, all churches, convents and monasteries were being
ornamented with gold coming from Brazil, other fine arts were also
influenced like painting, sculpture, decorative arts, furniture and even
a new style of tiles, now with colorful motifs.
The Palace of Mafra,
built in 1717, is the greatest symbol of Portuguese Baroque, built
thanks to the Brazilian gold, reflecting the wealth and exuberance
started in the Palace of Versailles, France.
The Romanticism: movement
which emerged in the 19th century, in Portugal matches with a time of
major social, political and economic movements. The architecture is
inspired by the medieval theme, but with a very large mixture of
materials such as brick, tile, iron and others.
The greatest Romantic
Palace in Portugal owns its character to the German King Ferdinand II
married to the Portuguese Queen Maria I, which is the Pena Palace in
Sintra. But we can admire other works of romantic architecture in the
country as the Palace Hotel Buçaco, the Regaleira Mansion, and the
Rossio Train Station.
The Art Deco and Nouveau: Arrived later
than the rest of Europe and short-lived in Portugal, but completely
dominated the 20th century with fine examples of extraordinary beauty.
The art nouveau began around the year 1905 and ended 15 years later in
1920. The aesthetic principles adopted by the Portuguese Art Nouveau was
similar to the style that has proliferated in Europe, the French
influence was present in most buildings. The use of Art Nouveau in
Portugal was mainly due to the action of the urban bourgeoisie, in the
cities of Lisbon, Porto and Aveiro.
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| Culture and People | | CLICK TO EXPAND + |
With
nine centuries of openness to humanity, the people of Portugal are
friendly, are warm welcomers, like to smile and laugh together with
tourists, like to provide moments of happiness to those who visit us.
Religion -
The Portuguese Republic Constitution guarantees the freedom to practice
any religion. Despite the majority of Portuguese are Catholic (81%).
However several religions coexist in Portugal in perfect harmony, as
Protestants (75 000), Orthodox (56 000), Jews (3000), Muslims (20,000)
and other newer churches.
Portugal has a very large Marian cult,
having one of the largest Marian Sanctuaries of the World, Sanctuary of
Our Lady of Fatima, commemorating the appearance of Our Lady to the
three shepherd children on May 13, 1917.
Music, Dance and Fado - the
traditional Portuguese music is quite rich and varied. Folklore and
philharmonic bands occupy a prominent place in all the festivities. But
FADO takes precedence, considered world heritage in 2011. Fado is
characterized by being sung by one person (Fadista) which is accompanied
by the Portuguese guitar (guitar pear-shaped, with 12 strings) and
cavaquinho (mini guitar with 12 strings with a very sharp sound, similar
to ukulele). The word Fado comes from the Latin Fatum means Destiny.
Considered by many a sad song and melancholic, which appeals to
nostalgia, to miss something ... says a lot about the Portuguese soul.
The
greatest Fado singer was Amalia Rodrigues, however a new generation of
singers is surprising the world and giving Fado a brand new spirit with
dance and happiness such as Mariza, Katia Guerreiro, Camané, Cristina
Branco, Ana Moura and Carminho among others.
Bullfighting: Still
legal in Portugal, but the bull killing in the arena is a prohibited
practice. It is a traditional show that dates back to the Bronze Age.
The bullfighting has a centuries of tradition, horseriders dress in
costumes from the 18th century and the “forcados” with costumes from the
end of XIX century. The Portuguese bullfighting has 3 phases, the
entrance show, and the deal on horseback or on foot and finally the
“forcados” handling the bull. In some municipalities the Portuguese
tradition is so popular and so strong that it is considered Cultural
Heritage. In recent years there have been several movements in defense
of animal rights to condemn this practice. The country’s most important
bullring is in Lisbon, the Campo Pequeno Arena.
Famous People - We
are the country of poets like Camões and Fernando Pessoa, the Nobel
Prize of Literature José Saramago. The country of adventurers who gave
new worlds to the world as Vasco da Gama and Pedro Alvares Cabral.
The country of the great Fado singers Amalia, Mariza, Carminho, Ana Moura.
The
homecountry of Mourinho (World famous soccer coach) and Cristiano
Ronaldo (one of the best soccer players in the world). The country of
award winning architects like Siza Vieira and Souto Moura. The country
of politicians like António Guterres (Head of United Nations for
Refugees) and Barroso (Head of the European Union).
The homecountry of Daniela Ruah, an award actress working in Hollywood who recently participated in NCIS: Los Angeles as Kensi.
Food & Wine
Portugal
has a rich cuisine as varied as the landscape and heritage. But the sea
it most of the times the winner, as a striking feature of Portuguese
seafood. Famous for the grilled fish, the seafood and the custard tarts.
For the seafood rice and even more famous sardines grilled on charcoal,
both were selected are wonders of the Portuguese cuisine.
Portugal
is also famous for its meat, the Portuguese Countryside Stew dish is the
king when it comes to meat, a mixture of cooked meat and vegetables.
Olive
oil is always present in all Portuguese tables, distinguished by its
great quality and part of the so-called Mediterranean diet, Portugal is a
major exporter of olive oil (40% of national exports).
North: Must
try the Tripes from Porto or the rich Francesinha sandwich. Do not ever
forget the famous Port wine or the Vinho Verde (Green wine)
Central Coastal and Interior: The
Central Coastal in the splendor of the whole Atlantic coast, offering
seafood and fish. The Stews, grilled fish and grilled sardines are the
main dishes. Also in the center, you may taste another delicacy, the
famous suckling pig or porcelet from Bairrada, accompanied by the
sparkling wine from the same region. If you walk a little further
inland, never leaving the center of the country, meat is the queen,
roast lamb, sausages, black pudding rice. Do not forget to take the
creamy cheese from Serra da Estrela. As for sweets is required to prove
the famous ovos moles (egg cream) from Aveiro. And the famous Pastel de
Belém (custard tarts), as well as the whole convent sweets that are
scattered all over the country.
Alentejo: Land of wine and
olive oil. Must try the famous shark soup with regional corn bread. In
addition to the lamb stews, the Alentejo pig (black pig) and game
dishes, highly seasoned with fine herbs, complete the typical Alentejo
cuisine. The Alentejo is famous for its convent sweets due to the
presence of numerous convents of nuns, these sweets made from eggs,
sugar and almonds are a true sin of heaven. The cheeses of Nice and
close Serpa what may prove the most wonderful Alentejo.
Should also try the famous Pennyroyal liqueur.
Algarve: Excellent seafood, varied fish and plenty of octopus. Beautiful oranges, almond and fig sweets and the carob!
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| Local Festivities / Popular Pilgrimages | | CLICK TO EXPAND + |
There
are a large number of parties and festivals in Portugal. Typically many
of these celebrations are in honor of saints of the Catholic Church or
evoke some deep-rooted tradition in Portuguese culture, such as
bullfighting. These parties include a huge variety of tradition,
folklore and music, dancing and processions. Usually are festivals of
colors and sounds.
Saint Anthony of Lisbon (June 13) - St.
Anthony was born in Lisbon, being the patron saint of the capital of
Portugal, and died in Padua (Italy) on June 13, 1231. On the night of
June 13, there’s a long parade on Avenida da Liberdade (the most
important avenue of the city), there are popular marches in an
allegorical parade in which various city districts compete. Throughout
the city there are smaller parties with dancing and many entertainment
venues. The sardines are mandatory for the party. There is also a
tradition where boys offer a basil flower in a pot to their girlfriends,
if it is true love, the plant should survive for many years.
The city does not sleep on the night of June 13.
São João do Porto (June 23) - It
takes place on the night of 23 to 24 June, marks the birth of John the
Baptist. It is thought that this party dates back from the 14th century.
It is a party full of traditions, with its plastic hammers as
highlight, there are small bonfires through the city, fireworks, basil
and grilled sardines. The night never seems to stop and goes from its
historic centre to the mouth of the Douro River, near the beach, waiting
for sunrise.
Lady Sameiro Braga (June 3) - It is a Marian
shrine, the second most important after Fatima, its construction began
in 1863. On June 3, there’s a great pilgrimage to the Lady Sameiro.
Feast of Our Lady of Agony, Viana do Castelo (August 16) -
The cult of Our Lady of Agony dates back to the XVIII Sec. This
festival shows the devotion of the people of the sea (fishermen) to Our
Lady, returning the graces bestowed upon the shipwrecks and storms at
sea. It is a festival with many events, such as the solemn procession,
the ethnographic procession, the boat procession, flowery carpets. Women
dress up in colorful costumes and richly accessories with gold.
Tabuleiros Festival (Feast of the Holy Trays), Tomar - It's
a party to be held in every 4 years, normally in July. Also known as
the Feast of the Holy Spirit. Dates back to the time of Knig Dinis and
his Wife Queen Santa Isabel, is a feast commemorating the celebration of
the fertility of the land. The trays are very colorful and usually
carried by young women.
CALENDAR
North
Monsão: Feast of Coca - June 7 (Combat between St. George and the Dragon)
Barcelos: Festival of the Crosses
Guimarães: Gualterianas - First week of August
Guimarães: Nicolinas - November 29 to December 7
Viana do Castelo: Pilgrimage of the Lady of Agony - 15 August 20
Vila Franca de Lima: Feast of Roses - Second week of May
Porto: St. John - June 23-24
Douro: Harvest - September and October
Center
Fatima: May 13th - October 13th
Coimbra: Festival of Saint Elizabeth - First week of July, even years.
Tomar: Tabuleiros Festival – July 1 to 15, every 4 years. The next will be in 2015
Obidos: Medieval Market of Obidos - July and August
Vila Franca de Xira: Red Waistcoat (Feast of the Bull and the Horse) - The first week of July
Aveiro: Ria Festivities (party boats) - July and August
Sesimbra: Fisherman's Feast - First week of May
Santarém: National Agriculture Fair and Livestock – June 1 to 10
Lisbon: Santo Antonio - June 12/13
Outside Lisbon: Second and Third week of June
Sintra: Fair of St. Pedro - June 28/29
Cascais: Jazz Festival - First week of July
Palmela: Wine Harvest Festival (Wine, Food and Bulls) - First week in September
Golegã: National Horse Fair - First half of November
Campo Maior: Festival of Flowers and the People - August and September
Torres Vedras: Carnival of Portugal - February
South
Loulé: Carnival of Portugal - Battle of Flowers and Almond Party - February
Castro Marim: Medieval Fair August 23 - 26
Lagos: Festival of the Discoveries - April 26 to May 5
Mértola: Islamic Festival – May 16 – 20 |
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