Portugal or a relationship with the sea engraved in stone.
| 10 January 2012
Situated in the far west corner of Europe and with a long coastline, Portugal has always felt an urge to venture across the seas and we were the first Europeans to arrive in India, Brazil and Japan.
That relationship still continues today and the Parque das Nações, the site of the last World Exposition of the 20th century, is dedicated to that very theme. There are some fine examples of contemporary Portuguese architecture to be found here, most notably the buildings designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira and Souto Moura.
Another distinctive feature of our architecture is the famous decorative tile known as the azulejo, which can be seen covering walls all over the country.
If you travel on the underground in Lisbon, take a good look around you to see how some of our finest contemporary artists have used the tile to decorate the stations.
But the sea has also left its mark on Portuguese national psyche. Portuguese can’t explain why sometimes they are overcome by a sense of melancholy. This is the nostalgic sadness that they call saudade and is a distinctive feature of the Portuguese. Portuguese sing about it in a Fado, just as you and I sing about joy when we’re feeling happy.
Listen out for the music of Mariza or Madredeus. They sing about the Portuguese soul better than anybody and their music is distinctly Portuguese.
In 2011, Fado was classified as a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The more popular forms of Fado are to be heard in the cities near the sea, such as Lisbon or Porto, but Coimbra has given the music its own unique feel, making it popular among students.
The Fado houses are the best places for enjoying an evening of Fado. A candlelit dinner, accompanied by songs you’ll understand without even speaking the language, is an experience that you simply have to include in your holiday plans. Built from granite and schist, and located in the heart of the country, they have witnessed over 900 years of Portuguese history. But while the villages are amazingly peaceful places to visit, they have not always been so tranquil.
In the past these villages, perched high on hilltops, played a crucial role in protecting the surrounding lands. Their vantage point made it almost impossible for would-be invaders to approach undetected. It was a hugely effective form of defence. Whether you want to experience Portugal’s breath-taking landscapes, its historic fortresses, or the warmth of its people, the villages offer it all.
Listen to ancient stories of heroic deeds and glorious battles while discovering the remains of buildings that tell us so much about the country’s origins.
There’s so much to enjoy: from the castles of Alfaiates, Sortelha, Vilar Maior, Sabugal, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Bom, Castelo Rodrigo, Penamacor, Monsanto and