2. Portuguese pavement Irregular shaped limestone and basalt rocks, used in pavements and public spaces. Traditional colours are black and white and, with the contrast created, they form decorative patterns, either figurative or geometric.
3. Bandstands Round shaped structures, usually located in the middle of public parks of villages or cities. People gathered around these to listen to brass bands playing or political or social events.
4. Tram Car In 1895 opened the first tram car line in Oporto city, the first also in the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the history of the public means of transport development.
5. «Espigueiro» Structure made of wood and stone and covered with tiles or thatch, which is used by farmers to keep and dry corn ears. Located in high places and built with small lateral openings so that in winter the wind can dry the corn. They are elevated from the ground to prevent rodents to eat the cereals.
6. Basketry A very old craft that still remains. Basketry is used in many objects with different shapes and usage.
7. Tiles All over the country we can enjoy this decorative element. With geometric pattern or telling stories, the tiles have a privileged place in the portuguese architecture.
8. Filigree Jewellery Filigree is a delicate kind of jewellery metalwork. It is made with twisted threads, usually of gold or silver, forming objects such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants. They usually have love, floral or religious motifs. Filigree jewellery is very popular in the north of Portugal, specially in Viana do Castelo.
9. Lovers’ handkerchiefs Typical from Minho, north Portugal, these embroidered handkerchiefs used to be made and offered by ladies to their sweethearts. If the man used it in public, it would mean that he also loved her. Lovers’handkerchiefs are written with mistakes because in the past women had no school learning - and tradition still does that.
10. Portuguese Guitar Portuguese musical instrument full of symbolism that expresses Portuguese emotions, specially because connected with “ Fado ”, the traditional Portuguese song.
11. Barcelos Rooste r According to the legend many years ago a pilgrim was accused of a crime. In front of the judge, that was eating roasted chicken, he swore that he was innocent. He said that if he was innocent the roasted chicken would become alive again. It happened: the chicken lived again and saved the suspect from hanging.
12. Swallow Swallows symbolize Home, Family, Love, Fidelity and Loyalty because they only have a partner during their entire life and usually return to their first nest. There are many ceramic swallows in Portuguese crafts and decorating Portuguese homes.
13. Cork Trees Portugal is a world leader in cork production and manufacturing. It is light, waterproof, resistant and an excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. It is 100% natural, recyclable and reusable and with a great socio-economic value to the country.
14. Arraiolos Tapestry Handmade tapestry craft passed from mothers to daughters. The embroidery is made in wool, over a jute canvas with a specific needle point. In sunny days it was frequent to see the women at the doorsteps, embroidering.
15. Oporto Wine Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine exclusively produced in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine. You can see a “rabelo” boat on the right, which was used in the transport of the wine along the Douro to Oporto city, where it was stored and then sold.
16. Olive OIl Olive oil is extracted from the fruits of the olive plant. Portuguese partly Mediterranean climate is appropriate to the growth of olive oil, making Portugal one of the world’s producers. It has a variety of uses in cosmetics, soaps, cooking and medicinal purposes.
17. Fishing Fishing is a major economic activity in Portugal. The country has a long tradition in the sector, and is among the countries in the world with the highest fish consumption per capita. Many coastal villages usually have by the sea small traditional vessels. One of the most appreciated fish species in Portugal is the sardine.
19. Filigree Here we can appreciate Liliana Guerreiro’s collection “ Filigrana ”. The project emerges from the recognition of Portuguese filigree techniques.
20. Lovers’ handkerchiefs Fashion designer Nuno Gama created some pieces inspired in Viana’s famous embroidered designs. The motifs are being used in many other objects of the fashion industry.
21. Lovers’ handkerchiefs Vista Alegre, a high quality porcelain brand, also reinvented Viana’s famous embroidered designs in one of their collections. Modern or traditional wedding dress?
22. Lovers’ handkerchiefs Joana Vasconcelos is one of the most prominent of contemporary artists. Her work is Pop, it’s new and it’s old. Here she used the famous heart motif from Viana do Castelo region in a unique way: plastic forks transformed. On the right : the emblem of women’s shoes in Europe – made of pots and pans…
23. Cork Trees Cork is now invading other areas… Here you can see some examples.
25. Architecture Architecture has has world known architects from Oporto such as Álvaro Siza (1992 Pritzker prize) and Souto de Moura (2011 Pritzker prize).
