Hotels in Ribatejo, Portugal

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Ribatejo

The land “by the Banks of the River Tagus” to give its Portuguese name, is a region of rich alluvial plains, pastures and farmers.

Here the attachment to both land and river is strong and in return they provide vast horizons of fields of rice, wheat, millets and vineyards and much of Ribatejo’s livelihood.

This is also area of wild bulls (it is at the heart of Portuguese bull breeding country) and fine horses. Ribatejo often comes alive with traditional festivals such as the Festival do Colete Encarnado (Festival of the Red Vest), and the bullfights, which unlike in Spain are considered an art rather than sport.

Gastronomy Typical dishes include the popular Açorda (eggs poached in watery bread with coriander and garlic), sopa de peixe (fish soup) and fataça na telha\" (large mullet cooked in a roof-tile). Meat here is excellent and it is worth trying out the myriad of meat based dishes such as 'espetadas em vara de loureiro" (meat grilled in a laurel stick). The Sopa da Pedra (Stone soup) in Almeirim is nationally famous. Many people travel miles just to savour it in its many specialised restaurants. With its combination of meats, beans and vegetables it is definitely worth the trip.

The celestes of Santa Clara, the traditional cheesecakes are a great way to finish off any meal. Ribatejo also produces a number of fine wines, most of which are red wines from Almeirim, Santarém, Coruche, Cartaxo and Chamusca. The Serradayre red in particular is a smooth, light wine with a fruity taste.

History Like much of neighbouring Estremadura, the history of Ribatejo is closely linked to the history of Portugal and its nationhood. It was once at the frontier of the Christian Kingdoms in their efforts to oust the Moors and has been involved in numerous important events of the country’s history. Santarém, the capital of Ribatejo, was captured from the Arabs in 1147 and at one time acted as Portugal’s capital. It was also one of the main staging posts for the Peninsula wars, with the French making it their headquarters in their three invasions.

Eventually, however, forces led by the Duke of Wellington besieged the town (1810-11) and liberated the country from France once and for all. More recently, a military convoy left Santarém barracks to actively take part in the 1974 revolution and helped free Portugal from decades of dictatorship.

Culture Celebrations and fiestas are part of the fabric of Ribatejo life. Some of the most notable and liveliest include the festival do Colete Encarnado (Festival of the red vest) in Vila Franca de Xira, held in the first two weeks of July. Vila Franca also holds the October Fair and both festivities take in bull fighting and the running of the bulls - a la Pamplona style. Santarém holds the National Gastronomy and Handicrafts Festival in October and Golegã the famous horse fair in November.

Handicrafts Some of the typical arts and crafts include colourful baskets of rush and osier, patchwork-quilts as well as glazed and hand-painted pottery and glass blowing.

Monuments The historic importance of Ribatejo’s capital, Santarém, has bequeathed it an interesting array of monuments which have led it to be called Portugal’s capital of Gothic. Some of the most outstanding are the São João de Alporão church (13th Century), the Church of Graça (14th Century), the Church of Marvila (Manueline reconstruction), the Church of the Convent of Santa Clara (1260), the Convent of São Francisco (1242), the Church of Santa Cruz da Ribeira (14th Century), the Figueiras Fountain (13th Century), the Fortified Square of the Alcáçova and the Gates of Santiago and do Sol, among others.

A certain renaissance between the 16th and 18th centuries led to the Mannerist façades in the Portuguese "Chão" style (with very simple and straight lines). Activities Fiestas and celebrations seem to mean more to the people of Ribatejo than most, thus a number of nationally important events held here are worth checking out. Of note are the Horse Fair in the pretty town of Golegã (November) and the National Gastronomy Fair in Santarém (October).

Appropriately, this important wine-producing region also has a great museum - The Cartaxo Rural and Wine Museum. Worth a visit.