The legend tells that a long time ago, in Barcelos, a dead cock, came to live to prove the innocence of a man who was falsely accused and sentenced to death.

Barcelos

This man, a pilgrim, asked for Saint James’ help and swore he was innocent and he exclaimed:

"It is as certain that I am innocent as it is certain that this rooster will crow when they hang me." 

At night, the dead cock got up and started to crow. The pilgrim didn’t die due to a loose knot.

And the cock has become a national emblem of Portugal.

This wine is produced in the oldest demarcated wine region of Portugal. It is called Douro.

Douro´s boarders were demarcated in 1756.

The Douro River Valley and the Port wine vineyards

One of the most popular wines served is port wine. Port wine is a sweet red wine that goes wonderfully as a dessert wine.

There are, in fact, several types of Port Wine – some are aged in wooden casks and others in bottles.

Amália was a Portuguese Fado singer and actress. She was born on the 1st July 1920 and died on the 6th October 1999. She was considered the greatest example of the Fado music style.

She was proclaimed as the voice of Portugal and the most brilliant singer of the 20th century.

All over the world she was known as the Queen of Fado. Therefore she is one of the best representative personalities of the portuguese culture in the world.

Portuguese guitar Classical guitar

Fado is a music genrecharacterized by sad tunes and lyrics.

The singer is accompanied by two guitarists, one playing a Portuguese guitar and the other playing a classical guitar

Fado means fate, destiny. It also means “saudade”, which is a portuguese word that has no translation and it refers to the feeling of loss.

a typical object from Alentejo

The “tarro”, which is made of cork, was used by shepherds from Alentejo to take their food when they went out with their flocks.

This container has thermic qualities and it can keep the food at their original temperature for many hours.

Cork tree

Her first apparition took place in Cova da Iria, Fátima, Portugal.

Sanctuary of FátimaAbout four million pilgrims visit the basilica every year

She confided to the children three secrets, now known as the Three Secrets of Fátima.

She appeared to three little shepherds: Jacinta, Francisco and Lúcia , in 1917.

Pastel de Nata, also called  Pasteis de Belém, is a Portuguese egg tart pastry.

It is believed that pastéis de nata were created before the 18th century by Catholic monks at the Jerónimos Monastery.

It is said that Portuguese people know more than 365 ways to cook the codfish!

Here are some of the most popular Portuguese dishes:

Bacalhau com Natas

Bacalhau à Brás

Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá

Bacalhau no Forno

Bacalhau à Lagareiro

Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo

Drying and salting are ancient Portuguese techniques, used by our fishermen, to preserve nutrients and the process makes the codfish tastier.

This system has lasted until nowadays.

That’s All !