Barcelos

Barcelos is a town of stone bridges, old churches and busy markets, set on the River Cávado in northern Portugal. It is best known around the world for the Barcelos rooster, the brightly painted symbol of Portugal, but its historic centre, its crafts and its weekly fair give it a character of its own.

History and identity

The town grew up around its medieval bridge, an important crossing on the road to Galicia, and became a centre of pottery and crafts. The legend of the Barcelos rooster — a dead bird that crowed to save an innocent man — has made the town’s name known far beyond Portugal, and the rooster has become a national emblem.

What to see and do

• The historic centre, with its medieval bridge and old streets.
• The church of Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz and the town’s other churches.
• The archaeological museum and the pottery workshops.
• The weekly market, one of the oldest and largest in the region.

Gastronomy and traditions

Barcelos is a centre of traditional pottery, above all the rooster figures sold across the country. Its market, held on Thursdays, is famous for crafts, ceramics and local produce, and the town’s restaurants serve the robust dishes of the Minho.

Visiting Barcelos

Barcelos is between Braga and Viana do Castelo, in northern Portugal, easily reached by road and rail. For the market, museums and local events, check the official website before your visit.

Visitor information: cm-barcelos.pt.

Image credit: Barcelos, Portugal, by Halley Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.