Page 25 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

TOP VILLAGE
3 FESTIVALS

Easter
On Easter Sunday, a
crucifix is paraded
through the streets
for parishioners to kiss
Jesus’s feet, before
rockets illuminate the
skies in celebration.
Romarias
A religious festival
where saints’ statues
are brought from the
church and paraded
through the streets.
Christmas
Between Christmas
and Epiphany, boys
from the Trás-os-
Montes area dress in
Take a Tour
With pretty villages scattered crazy, fringed suits.
across the length of the country,
why not take a tour? Start at
Cacela Velha (p338) in the south,
then head into the Alentejo,
to the white washed village
of Serpa (p310). Next stop is
Monsaraz en route to Marvão
on the Spanish border. Finish
your tour at Monsanto (p216).

The whitewashed
village of Monsaraz

Party Time!
Most villages have their own annual festivals,
and many of these celebrate a local harvest.
Marvão, for example, has a Chestnut Festival in
November. Though every festival has its own
character – think colourful religious processions,
parades, rodeos and even pauliteiros
(stick dancing) – one thing always
guaranteed is lots of food and Paper flowers
drink. Join a picnic or barbecue in Campo Maior’s
and enjoy the celebrations. Festas do Povo
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