KNOWN AS THE “LAND OF THE ROOSTER”, BARCELOS IS A LIVELY AND CREATIVE CITY. WITH MORE THAN 850 YEARS OF HISTORY, IT IS THE PERFECT MATCH OF TRADITION, INNOVATION, AND CREATIVITY.
Largo da Porta Nova
Barcelos, the birthplace of the symbol of Portugal in the world, the Rooster of Barcelos, is a lively and creative city, located in the heart of Minho. Representing a garden between the sea and the mountain, it overlooks the river Cávado, empowered by a great historical richness, which turns this city into an open-air museum.
Group of monuments of the historic centre
Strolling around Barcelos is exploring the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque monuments, in a unique artistic environment. Make a visit to the historic centre, with a mandatory stop at Paço dos Condes (Palace of the Counts), where rests Cruzeiro do Senhor do Galo (Calvary of the Lord of the Rooster), historically connected to Lenda do Galo de Barcelos (Legend of the Rooster of Barcelos) and to Caminho Português de Santiago (Portuguese Way to Santiago). The heritage is vast. We highlight, among others, Igreja Matriz (Mother Church), Ponte Medieval (Mediaeval Bridge), Largo do Apoio (Apoio Square), Torre Medieval (Mediaeval Tower) and Templo do Senhor da Cruz (Temple of the Lord of the Cross).
Apoio Square
Palace of the Counts
Visiting Barcelos on a Thursday is experiencing the largest and the oldest handicraft fair in the country. Dating back to 1412, the unique atmosphere felt in the air comes from the rural world present in this unique ethnological event. Barcelos is also a territory of panoramic hills, festivals, and pilgrimages, particularly the first large pilgrimage in Minho, Festa das Cruzes (Festival of the Crosses). On the 1st and 3rd of May, Barcelos welcomes Batalha das Flores (Battle of the Flowers) and the religious Procession, events of real essence of the Minho region, in which Tapetes de Flores (Flower Carpets) in Templo do Senhor da Cruz, Arcos de Romaria (Arcs of Pilgrimage) and Lenda das Cruzes (Legend of the Crosses) are the main characters. The street folklore, the music bands, and the parades of Zés P’reiras reflect the cultural pulse of the traditions of Barcelos.
Market of Barcelos
Barcelos is also at the epicentre of Caminho Português de Santiago, being one of the richest territories of Portugal in Jacobean traditions and vocations. After the construction of the medieval bridge in the 14th century, the region became a meeting point for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela, being an example, the several patrons dedicated to St. James and the hostels for pilgrims.
Tábuas bridge
Calvary of the Lord of the Rooster
Nossa Senhora da Franqueira hermitage
Known as a creative city, Barcelos opens the doors of the artisan community in the several routes of the local craft. Three certified arts will be found there – Olaria de Barcelos (Pottery of Barcelos), Figurado de Barcelos (Figurative Pottery of Barcelos) and Bordado de Crivo (Embroidery of Sieve) of S. Miguel da Carreira – and also the artwork in iron, wood, basketry, embroidery and weaving, and the contemporary craft. Creative City of UNESCO since 2017 in Crafts and Folk Art, it is a territory that from creativity, obtained arguments of sustainable development certified by the European Cultural Tourism Network as Best Sustainable Cultural Tourist Destination in 2019 and 2021.
For those seeking the genesis of the traditional gastronomy, Barcelos is a mandatory stopping point. The delicacies, prepared with love and served in the traditional crockery, bring to the table the ceremonial, the history, and the symbolism of the people of Barcelos. From Galo Assado à Moda de Barcelos (Roasted Rooster in the style of Barcelos), to codfish, lamprey of the river Cávado, rojões (pork meat) and the distinctive and unique Papas de Sarrabulho à Moda de Barcelos (Sarrabulho Popes in the Style of Barcelos), to Arroz Pica no Chão (Pica no Chão Rice), the repast may end with the sweet Queijadinhas à Moda de Barcelos (Small Cheese Tartlets in the Style of Barcelos), Brisas do Cávado (Cávado Breezes) or Doces de Romaria (Pastry Cakes). This is the emotional gastronomy that imparts ancestral knowledge and practices. In the author’s cuisine the gastronomic tradition is crossed with an innovation space, with creative incursions. Regardless of the approach, at the table is crucial a green wine of the region of Barcelos and an essential rendez-vous with Loureiro grape variety.
Visit Barcelos, explore the hospitality, stay in accommodations with excellent conditions, savour gastronomic delicacies and visit wine farms, explore tailor-made experiments in a tourist destination of excellence. Much more than a destiny, a world of creativity to explore.
