IN A PRIME LOCATION, VILA FRANCA DE XIRA IS INCREASINGLY FOCUSED ON THE RIVER, BEARING IN MIND THE FRESH AIR OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE TRADITIONS, WHILE ATTRACTING AN INTENSE CULTURAL ACTIVITY.
Parque Linear Ribeirinho do Estuário do Tejo
Between the generous Tagus floodplain and the capital lies Vila Franca de Xira, a municipality with an area of more than 78 thousand acres and less than 140 thousand inhabitants.
In olden times, it started as a compensation offered by the king to the crusaders who helped in the conquer of Lisbon from the Moors, although it soon turned into an important merchant centre, both duty-free and toll-free, after the model of the free trade fairs. Nowadays, they have ventured in recovering the connection to the river and in ensuring that both History and tradition are hand in hand with innovation and modernity. Quite attractive not only for the business investment but also for settling and ensure the future, Vila Franca de Xira highlights the renewed riverfront, the fresh air of the countryside and the social and cultural dynamics of the city.
Marechal Carmona bridge
THE CULTURAL CITY
As a sure sign of this, the city has been hosting several high-quality events, such as Cartoon Xira exhibition or the Photography Biennial, as well as making a strong investment in cultural facilities. From the ruins of a former rice peeling factory was founded Fábrica das Palavras, a library and cultural hub, a landmark building internationally awarded in the contemporary architecture. As for Museu do Neo-Realismo (Neo-Realism Museum), it was built from scratch and houses a rich and varied artistic and documentary collection, providing a new look over the neorealism and its several expressions of art.
Fábrica das Palavras
A land of welcoming and joyful people that embraces working and partying with the same enthusiasm, while using its prime location and the respective benefits to welcome the visitor with a diversified tourist offer.
NATURE AND TRADITIONS
For those that enjoy the countryside, there is plenty of fauna and flora to appreciate. They can for example, profit from the EVOA visitation space, and take advantage of the perfectly created conditions to observe thousands of wild birds. Or maybe take the children to visit the Quinta da Piedade, an old fourteen century noble property that includes a pedagogic area with several pet animals. Those fascinated with horses are also in the right place; a land of campinos (the local bull handlers), there are plenty of touristic operators dedicated in providing different experiences in equestrian vacations: one can take horseback riding classes, tours through the lezírias and even visits to unique landscapes and places filled with History, such as the Historic Route of the Torres Lines, all in the back of wonderful Portuguese-bred Lusitano horses.
EVOA
The traditions of bull fighting culture are also a local trademark. Attested by the monuments to the campino at Afonso de Albuquerque Square, and to the bull fighter, at Marquês de Pombal Square, as well as the bullfights in the centenary Palha Branca Bull Fighting Arena, or the esperas and the largadas (waiting and tunning of bulls) set up by José Falcão Bull Fighting School.
Monument to the campino
Those that may prefer to explore the connection to the river, will not be at a loss. The requalification of the municipality’s river frontage allows for over ten miles of pure pleasure that will soon extend to the neighboring counties. There are many options available, from the Tejo bike path at Póvoa de Santa Iria – integrated in a park that allows walking, running or pedaling along the river in a striking scenic setting, even including two tide basins for canoeing and sailing practice – to the several other superb parks and riverside boardwalk paths, of high ecological sensitivity and value; the Tejo Estuary Linear Riverside Park at Forte da Casa, for instances, won the 2016 American Architecture Prize Wan Landscape Award.
Tejo estuary natural reserve
For an experience even closer to the river, the municipality suggests a tour in the traditional ‘varino’ type riverboat “Liberdade”. Once one of the many vessels part of an intense cargo river traffic, is nowadays a 60-foot, 40-tones, two sails museum reference, characterized by its high bow and flat bottom, that allows it to sail through the low river banks and easily approach the deserted islands that punctuate the river; the sail up to Ponta da Erva or Parque das Nações is not to be missed.
Barco varino “Liberdade”
By boat, car, on a horse or on foot, Vila Franca de Xira will keep you active, interested and even smitten – and all that activity makes one very starved, something that the local gastronomy will gladly handle. The specialties served at the table include the best that the river and the orchard has to offer; influenced by the riverside culture and the usual creativity of the rural workers, several traditional dishes have reached our days; such is the case of the fried shad fish with fish eggs bread stew, and the torricado (oil and garlic flavored, charcoal toasted bread) served with grilled cod. These flavors are typical to the region and deserve to be washed down in style. The “Encostas de Xira” red wine is 100% grown within the municipal boundaries, originating in the vineyards situated on the slopes of a wonderful seventeen-century farm, Quinta de Subserra, and combining the Moscatel Graúdo, Arinto, Fernão Pires, Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Castelão grape castes. A shop opened up within the Quinta itself, with the purpose of connecting the consumers to the production facility, creating a space of rare beauty and perfectly integrated in the landscape. The property also offers the possibility of overnight lodging, either in a room or in a villa.
Quinta de Subserra
Quinta de Subserra
The Municipality has other forms of lodging available, such as bungalows and a camping site, integrated in a Municipal Complex, and offering similarly, an amazing scenic view.
This same nectar can be used in toasting the feast, something that Vila Franca de Xira does not lack. The famous ‘Red Vest Festival’ (Festas do Colete Encarnado), centered around the traditions of the bull, takes place on the first weekend of July and constitute the greatest celebratory moment for the local people. There’s nothing like joining them and discovering this pearl by the river.
