Álvaro Joaquim de Melo Siza Vieira, born in Matosinhos in 1933, is one of the greatest names in Portuguese contemporary architecture. He graduated from the Porto School of Fine Arts in 1955, where he studied under Fernando Távora, a mentor who influenced his vision of architecture rooted in culture and territory, yet open to modernity. […]
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Portuguese coffee occupies a central place in daily life, and the diversity of names and preparation methods reflects the country’s cultural and regional richness. Simply asking for um café (or um cafezinho using the affectionate diminutive zinho) generally means a short espresso: a small cup of about 30 ml. This is the starting point for […]
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Portugal is the place where legends and history come together to spark the imagination, Across this sun-soaked land, stories of buried treasures and lost fortunes have been whispered for centuries, giving every ancient castle and misty mountain a sprinkling of mystery. Take Almourol Castle, for instance. Rising from an island in the Tagus River, this […]
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The legend of the Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos) is one of the most well-known Portuguese folk traditions and is closely linked to the city of Barcelos, in the northern region of Minho. The story tells that, in medieval times, a young Galician man on his way to Santiago de Compostela was unjustly accused […]
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The Portuguese National Anthem The Portuguese National Anthem, A Portuguesa (The Portuguese), is a stirring ode to patriotism and resistance that traces its origins to the late 19th century. Its creation is closely tied to Portugal’s struggle for independence and sovereignty and was composed by Alfredo Keil and written by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça during […]
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Pastel de nata (custard tart) is one of the most iconic specialties of Portuguese sweet confection, recognized worldwide for its unique flavour and creamy texture. Its origins date back to the 18th century, when monks from the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, Lisbon, created the recipe. At that time, monasteries used large quantities of egg whites […]
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The Treaty of Windsor, signed on May the 9th of 1386 between Portugal and England, represents the oldest diplomatic alliance still in force in the world. It arose in a context of political instability in Portugal, following the crisis of 1383-1385 and the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota, which confirmed D. João I […]
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During the Second World War, Cascais played a discreet but crucial role in the international espionage game. Located near Lisbon, in a neutral country, Cascais was part of the so-called “Portuguese Riviera”, an area of luxury and tranquillity that attracted spies, refugees, diplomats and exiles from all over Europe. Portugal’s neutrality made the country a […]
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During World War II, the Panasqueira Mines, located between Covilhã, Fundão, and Pampilhosa da Serram about 80 Km east of Coimbra, assumed a strategic role of great international importance as they mined tungsten, a rare metal extremely valuable to the war effort. Due to its heat resistance and hardness, tungsten was essential for the production […]
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Portuguese surnames have ancient roots and often carry meanings linked to professions – for example, Ferreira, derived from “ferro” (iron), refers to those who worked with iron, such as smiths. Many other surnames reflect natural features or places of origin. One of the most common, Silva, comes from Latin and literally means “forest” or “woods.” […]
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