Destinations Portugal Arts & Culture
 

Arts & Culture

Manueline art, tiles and Fado are unique expressions and genuine symbols of the Portuguese, but also a contribution to World Heritage. There are 24 such classifications by UNESCO in Portugal, including monuments, landscapes and intangible heritage.

There are country fairs, rock concerts and world-music festivals, from the Festa de Santo António in Lisbon to the Festa de São João in Porto. Head to the rural areas to catch the stick dancers of Miranda doing the Douro. Be transported back in time with a stroll through the megalithic structures of the Evora.

History of Portugal

Portugal gained independence in 1143 and is one of the oldest countries in Europe. There are many significant times in Portuguese history, amongst the more important being; the Discovery Period, regaining independence from Spain, the Great Earthquake of 1755; the founding of the Republic that ended Monarchy; and the beginning of the current democracy.

During the 15th century, fine art flourished, and this became the first great age of Portuguese paintings. One of the most popular Manueline painters Grao Vasco and his paintings can now be admired in a museum in Viseu named after him. The National Museum of Historic Art offers an exciting collection of paintings, sketches, and ceramics and various city artefacts and is also worth a visit.

Music and dance

The Portuguese are musical people and Portugal has a great and diverse music scene. Internationally, Portugal is mainly known for Fado, which dates back to the 18th century. It is a melancholic type of music that tells different stories of life.

Amalia Rodrigues was one of the most popular Fado singers of all time. Amalia Rodrigues died in 1999. Regional folk music is still prevalent in Portugal, and it has been modernized and updated in many cases.

Cuisine in Portugal

Portuguese cuisine is very diverse and varies from region to region. Portugal has fantastic fresh fish and seafood, and this is found on virtually every menu. The national dish is dried salted cod called “Bacalhau”, and there are many variations in 365 ways to prepare the national dish.

Another popular traditional dish in Portugal is “Cozido a Portuguesa” - a thick stew of vegetables made with various kinds of meat. The most popular desserts are flan, caramel custard or a cinnamon-flavoured rice pudding.

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