Tourism in Portugal

Living experiences which made Serra da Estrela wool one of the most interesting success stories in Portuguese industry.

When King D.Dinis obtained from pope John XXII the creation of the Military Order of Christ, which was to render such inestimable services to Portugal and the World, his virtuous wife, Queen Isabel de Aragão – the Saint – laid the foundation of the great movement of Christian solidarity by instituting the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, over the Apostles, with festivities and rituals which in many cases undoubtedly of old pagan origin, like the “Festa dos Tabuleiros”.

Heavenly placed on the shore of Peniche, Berlenga archipelago is the only island reserve in the Portuguese mainland. Berlenga, Estelas and surrounding islands were classified Berlenga Natural Reserve on September 3rd 1981.

The snail procession held every year in September in the tiny village Reguengo do Fetal, near Batalha, is a timeless tradition that has crossed the centuries and, certainly, one of the most eye-catching religious processions in Portugal. An incredible tapestry of lit snail shells leading the ways of the faith!