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History and Culture

The Lisbon Earthquake and Voltaire’s Candide: How a Natural Disaster Shaped the Enlightenment

On the morning of November 1, 1755, one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history struck Lisbon, Portugal. The disaster killed tens of thousands...

Miguel Gomes: The Portuguese Director Taking the World by Storm

Looking for new ways to study Portuguese or interested in learning more about Portuguese films?  Look no further. Few filmmakers in the world today...

What Happens on Carnival Monday in Portugal?

If you know anything about Carnival, you know that the most important day in the celebration is Tuesday. Many visitors to Portugal focus on...

12 Astounding Facts about How Portugal Ended Up in Macau

In the mid-16th century, Portugal commanded one of the world's most extensive maritime networks. Portuguese ships connected Europe to Africa, India, and beyond and...

When Portugal First Reached Japan: 15 Facts That Changed History

In the mid-16th century, Portugal stood at the center of the world’s most ambitious maritime network. From Lisbon, Portuguese ships sailed south along Africa,...

Carnival of Podence: 9 Fascinating Facts About Portugal’s UNESCO-Listed Festival

The Carnival of Podence, known locally as Entrudo Chocalheiro (the Rattling Carnival), is one of Portugal's most ancient and captivating traditional celebrations. Held in...

Thank You, Marcelo: Looking Back at 10 Years of Service as Portugal’s President

As Portugal prepares for its presidential election on January 18, 2026, the nation bids farewell to a decade of leadership under President Marcelo Rebelo...

Six Popular Myths about Portugal: Fact or Fiction?

Portugal's history is rich with fascinating stories, some true and others embellished over time. We can assure you: all of the myths listed below...

9 Best Art Museums in Porto

Porto's art scene does not have a concentrated center such as Belém in Lisbon, but you will find a treasure trove of beauty spread...

Portugal Is One of the Best Places to Travel with Young Children: Here’s Why

Traveling internationally with young children can feel intimidating, especially for parents used to rigid schedules, skeptical looks, and the constant sense that kids are...

11 Best Art Museums in Lisbon

Lisbon wears its history on the outside, but its art scene thrives indoors. The compact nature of the city makes museum hopping remarkably easy...

The Birth of Portugal: How One Battle between Mother and Son Started It All

In the early twelfth century, the land that would one day become Portugal was not yet a country. It was a contested frontier territory...

18 Amazing Facts about Sebastian, The Portuguese King Who Disappeared

King Sebastian of Portugal remains one of the most enigmatic and emotionally charged figures in European history. His reign was short, his final campaign...

Famous Christmas Poetry from Portugal

Christmas occupies a unique place in Portuguese literature. The season is not treated as pure celebration. It is often reflective, sometimes melancholic, and filled...

The Top 11 Greatest Portuguese Athletes of All Time

Portugal has long punched far above its weight in world sports. For a relatively small country, it has produced giants in football, marathon champions,...

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Working in Portugal

Thinking about working in Portugal or planning a move soon? In the last several years, Portugal became one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for...

You Will Not Believe These 19 Portuguese Superstitions

Portugal is a country with a wealth of superstitions that weave themselves into daily life. Over the centuries, they have shaped habits, conversations, and...

Is F1 Coming Back to Portugal?

For a few unforgettable moments in 2020 and 2021, the sound of Formula 1 cars echoed through the hills of the Algarve. At that...

The Portuguese Scandal That Changed the Country Forever

Few events in financial history are as astonishing as the Portuguese Bank Note Scandal of 1925. It was a real-life story of deception so...

27 Laws in Portugal That You Need to Know!

Portugal happens to have some very peculiar and specific rules. Some keep beaches and roads safe, some protect heritage and natural landmarks, but a...

The Powers of the Portuguese President vs. the Prime Minister

When people first learn that Portugal has both a President and a Prime Minister, it can be confusing to understand how their roles differ....

14 Incredible Facts about Queen Catherine of Braganza, Portugal’s Queen of Tea

In the whirlwind of seventeenth-century European politics, Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, became the queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland through her...

15 Portuguese Words That Don’t Exist in English (But Should!)

Every language has its hidden treasures and words that say so much that translation can never quite capture them. European Portuguese is full of...

15 Facts about Fátima, Portugal’s Holiest City, That Will Shock You

Fátima isn’t just another stop on a Portuguese itinerary. It’s a small city that sits at the fault line between faith and history, where...

Which Came First? Test Your Knowledge of Portuguese Culture

So you think you know Portuguese culture? Well, today, we want to see how well you actually know it by asking you "Which Came...

Which Came First: Christ the Redeemer in Rio or Christ the King in Lisbon?

For decades, visitors to Lisbon have looked across the Tagus River and seen a monumental figure of Christ with arms outstretched standing on the...

Battle of the Bridges: Which Portuguese Bridge Is the Best in the Country?

Portugal is a land of castles, azulejos, fado, and seriously good food, but let’s be honest: it is also a land of some seriously...

The 10 Greatest Trees in Portugal

Many of Portugal's trees are older than the country itself. Cork oaks that clothe the Alentejo with bark become wine stoppers. Ancient olives predate...

16 Astonishing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know about Portugal during World War I

We recently covered Portugal's role in World War II. During our World War II research, we realized that it was important to go even...

Who Are the Best Portuguese People in History According to the Portuguese?

In 2006 and 2007, Portuguese public broadcaster RTP ran a nationwide poll called Os Grandes Portugueses (The Greatest Portuguese). Inspired by the BBC’s 100...
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