Lovely Portuguese ceramics shop at Lisbon’s fleamarket: ‘Armazém das Caldas’
There’s a store where you step into Lisbon’s famous fleamarket, ‘Armazém das Caldas’. The traditional Portuguese ceramics and the warm service of the owners makes me feel like buying a lot.. !
April 10 2021 : Portuguese ceramic shop: ‘Armazém das Caldas’, Campo de Santa Clara 112, at the fleamarket in Lisbon
Armazém (lit. warehouse) das Caldas opened his doors in November 2014, selling traditional Portuguese ceramics from Caldas da Rainha, the ‘capital’ of portuguese pottery, popularized by artist and designer Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. (also known for his illustrations, caricatures and sculptures).
Portuguese ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon, November 2019
People who visit Lisbon a few days, usually like strolling through the fleamarket (Feira da Ladra, lit. thieves market), where you can find this lovely little shop.
I heard Chinese, Russian- or French people say: ‘How wonderful, but how do we get all this into our suitcase?’
Portuguese traditional ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ , located at the fleamarket in Lisbon, November 2019
The shelves are full of crockery, tableware and decorative objects, in an explosion of colors and iconic products such as pumpkins, cabbages, swallows, roosters, frogs, lizards, sardines and hanging codfish.
Portuguese traditional ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’, Lisbon
June 8, 2019. Picture: Christel Leenen
Designer Bordalo Pinheiro had a great sense of humor.. 😉 many of his designs, for example the collection of cabbage leaf dinnerware, are very funny…. !
Portuguese traditional ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon & swallow nest (€ 30)
Swallow nest (andorinha): symbol of loyalty and love
In 1891 designer Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro decided to produce a set of ceramic pieces that looked like swallows. They integrated into Portuguese homes and became a symbol for a Portuguese house which lives on still today. Why it had such a massive success? It represents family, loyalty and love! 🙂
Portuguese traditional ceramics Lisbon: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ , hanging salted codfish (bacalhau, € 25)
Dried and salted codfish (bacalhau), a faithful friend (fiel amigo) & history
The Portuguese adore codfish and it’s said that are 365 different ways to cook it…one recipe for each day of the year!
Portuguese traditional ceramics Lisbon: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ & designer Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
There’s a very long history with Portugal & codfish: shortly after Columbus (about 500 years ago) discovered America, the Portuguese were fishing for cod near NewFoundland. More…….
Portuguese ceramics Lisbon: ‘Armazém das Caldas’, rooster (galinha, € 35)
The legend of the ‘good luck’ rooster (Galo de Barcelos): a national symbol of Portugal
If you visit Lisbon you see brightly coloured roosters in all souvenir shops in all kind of variations and sizes. According to the legend, it brings you good luck, but you must receive it as a gift…
Portuguese traditional ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon, November 2019
YouTube – The legend of the Galo de Barcelos has been passed from generation to generation and while the stories differ, the ending is always the same.
Portuguese ceramics: ‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon, sardines (sardinhas)
Grilled sardines (sardinhas) & party time in June: Feast days of the popular saints
Sardines play an important role in Portuguese culture. In the month of June traditionally millions of big and tasty sardines (sardinhas) are grilled outdoors. The streets of the historical areas in Lisbon are filled with a delicious smell (but also the smoke!) 😉
On the eve of Saint Anthony’s day, June 12, Lisbon turns into one big party!
‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon, my favorite: crockery in beautiful soft colours
‘Armazém das Caldas’ Lisbon
Campo de Santa Clara, 112
Open from 11:00 – 19:00 (also on Sunday). Closed: Monday & Wednesday
Tuesdays and Saturdays (fleamarket days): open from 09:00 – 19:00
www.facebook.com/armazemdascaldas
Fleamarket Lisbon, Alfama district. View from ‘Armazém das Caldas’ more…..
Lisbon at Christmas time, students, beggers, traditions & Xmas lingerie
Happy New Year!
Already in October Lisbon is busy decorating the streets and trees. Thousands of colourful Christmas lights decorate the city. Christmas light restrictions across Portugal 2022
November 2022: Praça Luis de Camões
This year conventional lights were replaced by LED bulbs to reduce energy consumption.
Christmas lights will be on between December 6th 2022 and January 6th 2023, with a reduction in the daily operating hours. More info: The Portugal News
Lisbon, historical area Mouraria, in December
Church near Praça Martim Moniz
A Lisbon shop in December & Xmas lingerie
Children’s choirs sing Christmas carols (Janeiras) in the streets of Lisbon.
The Janeiras are a great tradition.
Rossio Square, Lisbon in November, children’s choir
Groups, mostly young people, walk through the streets from house to house. With their songs, they wish all residents a good and healthy New Year.
Lisbon, Christmas tree 2017
At the night of December 31, thousands of people gather near the waterfront of the Tagus River at Praça do Comércio, to welcome the new year.
Tradition:
students (try to 😉 ) sing a Christmas Carol in the streets and ask for money..
A woman, also dressed in black, is asking for money too…..
…..and there’s a lot of poor people begging on the streets of Lisbon, not only at Christmas time….
Praca Dom Pedro IV (Rossio), Christmas decoration and beautiful ‘wave’ pavement
On Christmas Eve , December 24, mosts restaurants are closed from lunchtime.
Families gather around the Christmas tree. Many attend the Midnight Mass (Missa do Galo). After mass they gather around the table and have supper.
Praça do Comércio, Lisbon December 31, 2017
December 31, in the best of Portuguese traditions, a shower of light and colour will flood Lisbon’s most famous square, Praça do Comércio, with a fireworks display to the sound of the twelve gongs.
Fireworks YouTube 2018
Praça do Comércio, Lisbon. December 2019.
Picture: Josephine Lucassen, professional tourist guide
New Years Eve: From 22:00 there’s a big stage at this square,there’re live concerts with famous Portuguese names and plenty of entertainment. According to the Portuguese tradition, twelve wishes are made to the sound of the twelve bell tolls, toasting with champaign to the new year.
Also in Parque das Nações there is a fireworks show near the river.
Traditional Portuguese New Years cake ( Bolo Rei). Picture: Britta Frahm
Feliz Natal! Traditional is the Bolo Rei (Kings’ cake). This fruitcake is a typically New Years cake, but is becoming popular during Christmas Holidays. In the cake there are two surprises: one is a little present, the other one is not welcomed: a raw broad bean. Whoever gets this bean has to buy (or prepare) the Bolo Rei in the coming year.
Feliz Natal: Merry Christmas!
Portuguese ‘Farturas‘ can be filled with flavoured jelly ( strawberry, chocolate). Very popular and delicious 🙂
Farturas (picture: Wikipedia).
HAPPY NEW YEAR! FELIZ ANO NOVO!
Lisbon at Christmas time, 2009
Roasted chestnuts Lisbon, November 11 St. Martin’s Day traditions & liqueur Jeropiga
The unmistakable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas) is announcing autumn’ s arrival in Portugal. ‘Quentes e boas’! ‘(Get’ em hot!). This cry goes out on the Lisbon streets.
‘Hot and good, a dozen for € 2“.
Much to the chagrin of many, the traditional paper cone made out of the Yellow Papers has been replaced by soulless paper packages, which takes something away from the ritual of chestnuts.
Baixa area, the commercial heart of Lisbon
St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11
It’s called Magusto. This day is the peak of three days, often with very good weather, known as Verão de São Martinho (Saint Martin’s summer).
St. Martin’s Day dinner at home with friends, November 2018
The Portuguese celebrate St. Martin’s Day with jeropiga (a traditional delicious sweet liqueur wine) and roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas).
Rossio, Lisbon in December
Traditions
On St. Martin’s Day traditions dictate that family and friends gather around a glowing hearth or bonfire.
How to roast chestnuts in the oven
Roasted chestnuts
Chestnuts are roasted, traditional alcoholic drinks are served, like água-pé (a watered kind of wine), jeropiga, vinho novo (young wine), or the slow smooth burn of aguardente (‘firewater’, alcoholic drinks between 29 and 60 percent).
Chestnuts and jeropiga
Because this pagan festival is a celebration of life, there is food and drink and plenty of fun: in some regions people smother themselves with ashes, black themselves up and sing around the fire.
Largo do Chiado, Lisbon
Famous fado restaurant ‘Maria da Mouraria’ Lisbon & Maria Severa, femme fatale
A city break to Lisbon is not complete without a night with fado, the melancholy Portuguese music! Good fado has its home in historical areas Alfama or Mouraria, like in restaurant/bar ‘Maria da Mouraria‘.
Mouraria , cradle of fado’ Lisbon in June (Santo Antonio festivities)
Rua do Capelão (& fado monument), street entrance to fado bar/restaurant ‘Maria da Mouraria’.
Lisbon, area Mouraria: Rua do Capelão
Fado is very traditional to Portugal. It is a song expressing sadness, longing, love, passion and life (saudade) The fado singer is often dressed in black, accompanied by a Portuguese guitarra and it is sung by men and women. You are expected to be quiet when the fado is sung in fado houses.
Usually the fado singing starts from 21:00
Rosinha de Braga fadista Fado bar/restaurant ‘Maria da Mouraria’ Lisbon
The Portuguese blues
No district in Lisbon is more praised for fado music than Lisbon’s historic Mouraria area. It is said that the melancholic sounds of the music and singing of the Moorish people were at the base of fado (meaning fate) music, often described as the Portuguese blues.
Mouraria Lisbon, restaurant/bar & fado house ‘Maria da Mouraria’ in wintertime, Largo da Severa 2.
It is said that Maria da Severa was born in this house, that’s why this place was created (in 2013) to promote fado as a tribute to the legendary singer, considered by many as the first fadista. She died here, at the age of 26 years old, November 30, 1846.
Square Largo da Severa, Mouraria Lisbon, September 2018
Terrace fado restaurant Maria da Mouraria. Square Largo da Severa has been renovated in recent years. Very quiet atmosphere, because no cars can come here. Picture: Henk van de Weerd
Who was Maria da Severa?
Teatro da Revista (a sort of vaudeville theatre) Lisbon: Revue about Maria da Severa’s life
Maria is said to have been a tall and gracious prostitute, and would sing the fado in taverns, were she encounters a Count, Armando de Vimioso, bohemian, and a celebrated and aristocratic bullfighter.
After Maria sings for Armando, a passionate romance begins. Armando’s mother, Constanca, forbids the romance, being a scandal in the family! The House of the Counts of Vimioso had also close links with the Portuguese royal family.
Casa ‘Maria da Mouraria’, Lisbon: talented fadista Tania Oleiro, accompanied by Ricardo Parreira and Marco Oliveira
Fado house ‘Maria da Mouraria’, works as an extension to the Fado Museum. To better understand the history of Lisbon’s song, it is essential to visit the museum, located in the nearby area Alfama.
Fado house ‘Maria da Mouraria’, Lisbon & Saint Anthony’s feast days in June (2018)
You can have dinner, or just enjoy some snacks and a couple of drinks. We were surprised by fadista Tania Oleiro and the delights of a good dinner (from 20:00 pm). If you wish to dine here, make a reservation.
Casa ‘Maria da Mouraria’, Lisbon: dinner with friends Josephine Lucassen (tourist guide) and Jorge Torres
Dinner & fado music: € 35- 45 per person
Our dinner: Peixinhos da Horta (fried green beans), prato do dia (dish of the day: pork liver), bacalhau (cod fish), bife, and 2 bottles of red wine.
Maria da Mouraria fado restaurant & tapas menu for 3 persons 2016
YouTube movie about the area and people who live here , trying to sing fado 
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Rua do Capelão Mouraria Lisbon
Famous fado singers & beautiful wall portraits in the streets: Amália Rodrigues, Fernanda Maria & Francisco Martinho
Summer 2013: Largo da Severa in Mouraria Lisbon: fadista Katia Guerreiro enchants the audience
Helder Moutinho, the owner of restaurant Maria da Mouraria, is the brother of Camané , famous Portuguese fado singer & songwriter.
Fado House ‘Maria da Mouraria’, Largo da Severa in Mouraria Lisbon.
No creditcards, cash only
Largo da Severa Nº2/2B. Trams 15, 28 , metro square Martim Moniz. Facebook (reservations)
Discover 900 years old area Mouraria Lisbon: restaurants, bars, art, sexy & fado
Charming Mouraria area is a historical 900 years old area in the heart of Lisbon where fado music was born. Nowadays it’s a multicultural area but still authentic 🙂
Lisbon Largo do Terreirinho area Mouraria march 2018
Area Mouraria is located in the historic heart of Lisbon, it is still less touristic and therefore much purer. One of Lisbon’s history-rich areas !
March 17 2020, area Mouraria Lisbon: Pastelaria ‘Doce Mila’
Corona & Lisbon
There’re almost no people in the streets or in the cafes and restaurants, a face mask is left here on the floor..
😢 🙁
Arroz de gambas (rice & shrimps)
Rice and shrimps (delicious!), a glass of white wine, a small bottle of water and coffee : around 10 euro.
Restaurant ‘A Catedral do Fado’ area Mouraria Lisbon
Restaurant ‘A Catedral do Fado’ area Mouraria Lisbon
Traditional Portuguese food, snacks, and a free smile 🙂 .
YouTube: Lisbon’s neighborhood of Mouraria
Alentejo style pork and clams ( € 7,90) (Carne de Porco à Alentejana)
Pork and clams together? Yes! 🙂 Recipe by Richelle Ramos
Typical Portuguese restaurants are a little bit disorderly, but very clean with a big TV screen (people like watching TV while eating, football, futebol), TL-tubes on the ceiling and paper table-covers.
Restaurant ‘A Catedral do Fado’ area Mouraria Lisbon: traditional Portuguese food
Traditional Portuguese restaurants
Nowadays historical area Mouraria in Lisbon is still filled with old taverns and small restaurants, serving traditional Portuguese food for local prices. In contrary to the more touristical historic areas, like Alfama or Bairro Alto, where prices in restaurants are mostly much higher.
Historic area Mouraria Lisbon, Rua João do Outeiro, June 2018
Peaceful multicultural area
Colourful Mouraria area embraces the past and the present. A multicultural area, where many nationalities live together peacefully. Nowadays it is a popular and fashionable part of Lisbon. Currently, it is gradually renovated.
Terrace Fado restaurant Maria da Mouraria Lisbon in June. Picture: Liesbeth Niebling
Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints & Lisbon’s craziest night).
In June, the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities that take over the city’s historical centers.
Hidden gem: Restaurant Zé da Mouraria
In a small street of one of Lisbon’s oldest districts there’s Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’. Well-priced Portuguese dishes, air-conditioned in summertime.
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Restaurant Zé da Mouraria’ 🙂 June 2019
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Waiter Davide & codfish (bacalhau), a very poular dish in Portugal
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Only open for lunch, dinner is possible for groups. Closed on Sundays, no creditcards.
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Thomas Kahrel (Dutch origin) in his atelier in Lisbon, Rua das Olarias 17, Lisbon, 2018.
Atelier Thomas Kahrel
Stage designer by profession, Thomas Kahler works with wood, producing pieces such as tables, chairs and decorative objects. More pictures: Facebook. Thomas studied Sculpture at Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Holland.
Guitar whisperer 😉
Thomas is also a musician: he plays the guitar and also the
accordion. He creates his own guitars.
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New (June 2019) is restaurant Taberna do Calhau in Lisbon, dedicated to region Alentejo, inaugurated by chef Leopoldo Garcia Calhau (43), who brought to area Mouraria the typical dishes of this Portuguese region.
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Chef Leopoldo do Calhau : recipe for gray days. Picture: Instagram
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Restaurant Taberna do Calhau: lunch (almoço) has a fixed price of 35 € per person, delicious wine included. Make a reservation, as the restaurant has space for 26 people. Great atmosphere 🙂
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Creative cuisine
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The food is veeeeeeery good, tasteful and creative, however prices are a little high. You will find traditional Portuguese dishes from region Alentejo, such as moelas e miol (grizzards and brains of a lamb) (!)
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Restaurant Taberna do Calhau & Artur Domingos, November 2019
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For wine, we left it up to owner Leopoldo to choose. A brilliant choice: Areias Gordas (€ 25 ). 🙂
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Taberna do Calhau, Largo das Olarias 23, Lisbon. Open on Sunday. Phone: (00351) 21 585 1937. Facebook
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‘Cafe Belga’ area Mouraria Lisbon & (typical Belgian?) 😉 😉 sexy bathroom decor
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In the same street (Rua das Olarias 37), there’s Café Belga, specializing in Belgian-inspired food and a variety of fine Belgian beers.
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Bar Flamingo Lisbon June 12, 2017: Lisbon’s craziest night, party time!
Flamingo Bar in area Mouraria is a surprising place for night owls (till 03:00). The bathroom is remarkable! Margriet, Rob and Lilja
Saturday Night Fever! 😉
Bar & nightclub Flamingo
Organic grocery store Bomercado, opened in Mouraria Lisbon in 2018.
Organic shop Bomercado in Lisbon provides groceries, fruit, vegetables and fresh bread, Portuguese biological wines and much more. Good prices, highly recommended! Shopowner Frank is sympathetic and knowledgeable.
Facebook Rua Dos Cavaleiros 10 Lisboa
Grilled sardines 🙂
Eating grilled sardines, especially in the month of June, is a tradition.
Square Martim Moniz Lisbon, starting point tram 28
This is where the historic area Mouraria starts, close to the starting point of the legendary tram 28.
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Nearby, a very cozy (a bit hidden) terrace:
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Restaurant Beco do Forno, located in a little side street of Rua dos Cavaleiros
Patio restaurant Beco do Forno: Pedro & Dina
Cozy terrace in a courtyard . A small narrow street gives access to the patio of Restaurant Beco do Forno (litt. Oven Alley).
Very friendly owners! 🙂
Patio restaurant Beco do Forno: dish of the day (6.50 euro)
Restaurant Beco do Forno: Beco dos Cavaleiros no. 11
Bill for 3 persons 27 euro
Grilled sea bass (robalo) with cooked potatoes and vegetables, pato (duck with rice), steak with fries and mixed salad, wine and dessert.
Entrance Restaurant Beco do Forno (& bakery Doce Mila) area Mouraria Lisbon
Restaurant Beco do Forno is open every day from 10:00 – 16:00 and from 19:00 till 21:30. Closed on Sunday
Pastelaria (Bakery) Doce Mila Mouraria Lisbon
Mila’s Cakes (Doce Mila) & pastel de nata
Great place for breakfast, a home-made delicious piece of cake or a typical Portuguese delicacy: egg tart pastry: pastel de nata.
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Typical Portuguese: strong coffee (bica) and pastel de nata
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Doce Mila (Mila’s cakes, name of the owner).
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Largo São Cristóvão, area Mouraria Lisbon
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The many winding alleys still show the traces of the 500 years of Moorish domination (from 711-1249).
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Area Mouraria is a muddle of narrow streets, stairs and small squares, which gives the visitor a glimpse of a forgotten age. Houses painted in several pastel colours or covered with antique tiles (Portuguese: azulejos).
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One of the restaurants nearby is ‘O Corvo’ (The Crow), one of my favorites!
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The Portuguese language is peppered with words of Arabic origin, often those relating to food, farming and manual work. One commonly used is oxalá – a direct descendent of insha’Allah, the term meaning “God willing.” More….
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Square Restaurant O Corvo & a ‘sweater-wearing’ tree
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Nowadays the Moorish quarter in Lisbon is a melting pot of different cultures, living peacefully together 
. There’re Fado houses, cheap (but good) restaurants, taverns, bars and nightlife.
. There’re Fado houses, cheap (but good) restaurants, taverns, bars and nightlife..
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Largo da Maria da Severa. Picture: Henk van de Weerd
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Fado in Restaurant/bar Maria da Mouraria, Lisbon
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Restaurant/bar & fado house ‘Maria da Mouraria’, Largo da Severa 2.
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It is said that Fado music was born in area Mouraria around 1820.
Terrace restaurant/cafe Bruta Flor (wild flower)
At the same square there’s restaurant BRUTA FLOR (international cuisine)
Restaurant Bruta Flor
Largo da Severa, 7A/B, Mouraria, Lisbon
Great selection of creative- and vegetarian meals in a lovely old little place.
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Tiny Ginja Bar ‘Amigas da Severa‘ & live fado performance at midnight
Must-try: taste a delicious typical Portuguese liqueur:”Ginja!
Famous Fado singer Mariza started her career in Mouraria where she grew up and performed many times.
Cafe/restaurant ‘A Parreirinha’, Lisbon. Picture: Margaret Schöttelndreier
Cafe/restaurant ‘A Parreirinha’ is a typical Portuguese restaurant, located Rua da Guia 4 A/B , Mouraria Lisbon.
€ 20 for 2 persons. WiFi, cash only. Open from 07:30 – 23:30, closed on Sunday.
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Fado house Maria da Severa & festivities in June
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Great names of fado music were born in this area, like ‘femme fatale’ Maria da Severa (fado house named after her) and Fernando Maurício .
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The Food Temple: vegetarian / vegan restaurant Mouraria
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Vega restaurant The Food Temple is located in a beautiful courtyard with seatings on the steps right outside. Picturesque and charming environment in the heart of Mouraria, laid-back atmosphere.
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Where: Beco do Jasmim 18, Mouraria Facebook
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Ó! Galeria, Illustration gallery, Calçada de Santo André 86, Mouraria Lisbon
Ó! Galleria is a project focused in illustration, drawing, books, zines and author pieces. Ema Ribeiro is the proud gallerist and she works with some collaborators, mostly young and promising illustrators.
Area Mouraria & Indian/Bangladesh food
The majority of the Bangladesh community lives near the streets around Square Intendente. Lots of restaurants to choose from, one of my favorites is Food Garden. Great vegetarion dishes (in case you don’t eat halal food), also take away.
Vegetable curry dishes € 5,50 – € 7,50. Rice € 1.50. Bottle of water € 1.00
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Grill & Indian restaurant Food Garden, area Mouraria Lisbon
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Square Intendente & historic building
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More about this area: beautiful restored square Intendente, shops, bars & restaurants
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Area Mouraria is easy to reach: close to the starting point of the legendary tram 28 at square Martim Moniz.
Cafe/bakery ‘Fábrica Lisbon’: perfect croissants & ceramic penis tradition
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ is responsible for the delicious smell 🙂 wafting through the street Rua da Madalena in Lisbon..
Bakery (padaria)/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ : delicious handmade rustic bread and croissants
‘Fábrica Lisboa’ has its own production, which means that croissants, bread, pies or cakes are constantly coming out of the oven in front of the customers. Traditional portuguese soups, sandwiches made with rustic bread, pies and fresh salads are also served.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
Funny Portuguese vintage decoration
When you pass through Rua da Madalena and you hear a bell it’s fresh bread/croissant time!
But this space really deserves a longer visit to appreciate the vintage decoration with delightful and funny details, like old scales, bottles, bread boxes, old phones or pornographic cassettes. Even the coffee machine is vintage…… !
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ & my favorite croissant with almonds spread (amêndoa)
Among the things of the past, take your time to enjoy a ‘late breakfast’ or a snack with salad or scrambled eggs with ham, accompanied by rustic bread.
Scrambled eggs with bread & presunto (ham) 6.90 euro
Croissants ‘old nunnery style’
There«s more than 10 different croissants, from simple (plain, € 1.20), old nunnery style (with sweet-soft egg cream, € 1.20, created by nuns who lived in monasteries with a lot of chickens in the garden... 🙂 to extra large: 2 fried eggs, tomato, cheese, ham, salad and chips ( € 7.00).
My favorite: a sweet croissant with almonds spread (amêndoa) € 2,20.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ : friend Margriet de Vrieze loves this place. Tea (chá) € 1.75
Cartoon character Zé Povinho – symbol of the Portuguese working-class
The cartoon character Zé Povinho was created by satirist and designer Bordalo Pinheiro in 1875, a symbol of the Portuguese working-class people, as a caricature for the protest against the politics and the high taxes for the simple population. Still nowadays every child in Portugal knows Zé Povinho. ‘Zé’ (José or Joseph in English), ‘Povinho’ is a diminutive for ‘Povo’, which means ‘people’.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’
Zé Povinho, symbol of the Portuguese working-class people
Ceramics from Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha, north of Lisbon, is well known for its wonderful ceramic pottery with a long tradition. The output includes large decorative pieces, crockery, tableware and decorative objects, famous all over the world for its unique (and sometimes funny) designs. Where to find in Lisbon: More…
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Wifi corner & vintage decoration
Phallus ceramics, a Portuguese tradition
Why is there a ceramic penis between the vintage decoration? Some centers of ceramic production in Caldas da Rainha has a tradition of phalluses and amusing phallic symbols. The tradition is said to have started in Caldas when King Dom Luis, who ruled from 1861 to 1889, suggested that local potters create something more interesting 😉 Penis-shaped ceramics
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
Penis-shaped ceramics are for sale in Portugal in all shapes and sizes: f.i. mugs, cups, and plates, or decorative pieces.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
‘Fábrica Lisboa’
Rua da Madalena 121 (Baixa) Lisbon, Portugal
Free WiFi. Facebook
Open from 08:00 – 20:00; closed on Monday
Weekend: 09:00 – 19:00.
Lisbon’s craziest night: June 12, Eve of Saint Anthony & street parties
Lisbon in June: wine, sangria, beer, the smell of grilled sardines, mojitos, caipirinhas, fado, pimba music and lots of people eating, drinking and dancing in the streets of the historical areas.
On the eve of Saint Anthony day, the ‘matchmaker ‘ (Santo António, June 13), Lisbon turns into a huge open air party!
June 12, party time! Historic area Mouraria Rua da Guia Lisbon: Eve of Santo António (Saint Anthony)
In June, the month of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints), the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities that take over the city’s historical center. In the ancient Alfama, Mouraria, Graça and Bairro Alto neighbourhoods it all takes place. Of course, you are welcome to join the festivities!
Historic area Mouraria Lisbon, Santo António, Rua João do Outeiro.
Santo António (Saint Anthony), Lisbon’s most popular saint
Santo António (Saint Anthony of Padua), was a Portuguese catholic priest. Many miracles have been attributed to him and he is considered a protector of the souls of purgatory, guardian of good marriages, defender of animals, healer, and advocate of lost objects. Saint Anthony was born in Alfama (1195) near Mouraria, one of the oldest areas of Lisbon.
Lisbon craziest night of the year in area Alfama, nearby Mouraria (YouTube)
Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria in June, Rua João do Outeiro 34, Lisbon
Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’ : delicious typical Portuguese food and a popular tourist attraction in a former Moorish quarter of Lisbon, Mouraria. In the month of June, all the streets in the historical center are decorated with garlands and lights.
June 12 in Lisbon: Adamastor, Santa Catarina near the Tagus River, a popular viewpoint & gathering place.
In the ancient neighbourhoods it all takes place, but this party is also held in other parts of Lisbon, like Adamastor, a popular Tagus viewpoint, with the most breathtaking views on the Tagus river, the 25th of April Bridge and the Cristo Rei monument, overlooking the city of Lisbon.
Lisbon, June 12, Bairro Alto area
The entire month of June in Lisbon is devoted to the Saints festivities, but June 12 is a very special day. While walking around you see people eating and drinking in the streets. The crowds can be immense, there’s music everywhere and everyone around you is in a very good mood, a wonderful feeling! ‘
June 12, 2011. Famous Bica funicular Lisbon, a popular tourist attraction
Partying in the small streets around the famous Bica funicular, highly valued by tourists.
A cool and very popular lounge bar in this street is Bicaense, near the bars of the bohemian district of Bairro Alto , possibly one of the best spots in Europe for a night out. Not only in June, but every night hundreds of people from all over the world are drinking mojitos, caipirinhas and beer out of plastic cups in the narrow streets.
Pastelaria and restaurant “D. João I”, Rua D. Duarte 1-B , Lisbon
Pimba music (songs with naughty lyrics)
On June 12 the festivities in Lisbon already start around noon, and everywhere you hear music coming out of the cafes and restaurants.
YouTube “Quero Cheirar o teu bacalhau” (by Quim Barreiros): ‘I would like to smell your codfish’ 😉 😉
Even the beggar near the cafe started dancing spontaneously …..people are dancing on Pimba music – a term used for a variety of popular Portuguese folk solo singers and bands whose songs are frequently driven by metaphors with sexual meanings.
Historical area Mouraria in June: Rua da Guia, Lisbon
In the month of June all the narrow streets in Lisbon’s historical areas are packed with stalls selling sangria and beer. Everywhere there’s the sizzling aroma of grilled sardines – the traditional food of the Saint Anthony celebrations are grilled sardines – but you can also go for barbecued chicken, chouriços (sausage) or pork.
June 12 Lisbon historical area : Arraial da Mouraria, dancing in the streets
There’s lots of dancing through the night. The best thing to do is just keep going and enjoy! Throughout old Lisbon there are open air parties everywhere. The party goes on until dawn 🙂
More about Lisbon’s craziest night of the year in Mouraria
Mouraria Saint Anthony Lisbon – pots with manjerico (basil) & small love poems
Basil & love poems
During the Santo Antonio (Saint Anthony) festival it is a tradition to offer a small pot of basil to loved ones, and in the narrow streets there are also stands where pots with manjericos (basil) are sold. Traditionally bought by boyfriends and given as a present to their girlfriends in Saint’s Anthony’s night.
Historical area Mouraria Lisbon in June: religious procession
Yearly parade
At Avenida da Liberdade, from around 8h30 pm June 12, there will be the yearly parade, with people dressed up in beautiful costumes. There’s also the Saint Anthony’s brides.
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon: excellent steak & chips à la Marilyn Monroe
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ in Lisbon pays tribute to the Portuguese steak sandwich, the prego, also a traditional snack in seafood restaurants. Recommendable!
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real & wonderful designed wall
Portuguese way of life & artist Gonçalo Mar
The wall, designed by artist Gonçalo Mar, is a humorous re-creation of a well-known image of Marquis of Pombal, an 18th-century Portuguese statesman. The term Pombaline is used to the architectural style adopted in Lisbon after the great earthquake in 1755.
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real & sandwich with tuna fish
It looks delicious and it sure is! 🙂 . Burger with grilled tuna fish 13 € (um prego com atum dos Açores), bread (bolo do caco de alfarroba , Carob tree), accompanied with fried sweet potatoes (batada doce) 1.50 €. Glass of white wine: Papa Figos, 4.00 €.
YouTube: traditional bread from the isle of Madeira , bolo do caco, very tasty!
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real March 2017: Pedro & Dina
Boeuf de Wagyu (Japanese super-beef) & Marilyn Monroe potatoe chips
2 croquetes 3.80 €, 1 Rissól de Camarão (shrimp) 1.90 €, Pavé (filet) Yuppie Pão 9.50 €, Prato Pavé de boeuf de Wagyu (dish with vegetables and ‘Marilyn Monroe’ potatoe chips) 11.50 €, 2 fried sweet potatoes (batata doce) 3.00 €, 2 glasses of red wine (O Tinto d’ O Prego) 7.00 €.
Why potato chips (wavy, extremely thin and crispy , as indicated on the menu card) à la Mariliyn Monroe? I assume her famous wavy dress? and maybe Marilyn’s ‘potato sack’ dress? 😉
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real March 2017
Order a steak sandwich in a fishery??
O Prego da Peixaria litterally means ‘the fishery’s steak sandwich’. It sounds confusing but it has to do with a Portuguese tradition: after enjoying a meal in a seafood restaurant it’s usual to order a steak sandwich, o prego .. litt. nail, referring to the full stomach after eating one, as someone told me.. 😉
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real March 2017
Portuguese history & Casas de Pasto (pasture house)
The decor is fantastic! The idea is reviving the atmosphere in the cafes and the old Casas de Pasto.
Old Casa de Pasto ‘pasture house’ in Portugal – around 1920 … Source: Kuentro blogspot
Lisbon people (Lisboetas) once had the curious custom of going to stroll gardens to withdraw from the city to enjoy some pleasure of the countryside, usually on Sundays. They organised family picnics or simply had lunch in de old Casas de Pasto, so called because initially only giving fodder to the animals while the owners were negotiating at the fair. In many of them still retain the rings that held the animals.
With the time the owners of the Casas de Pasto also began to feed the animal owners and so flourished a business that came to give rise to the modern restaurants. Source: folclore de Portugal
Restaurant ‘O Prego da Peixaria’ Lisbon area Principe Real & menu card: with a pencil you can specify which prego or dish you like to order and how: rare, medium or well-done.
Restaurant ‘ O Prego da Peixaria’. No reservations
Rua da Escola Politécnica, 40 | Lisbon | phone 213 471 356,
facebook . Open: every day from 12:00 tot 24:00.
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Saint Anthony Lisbon party time in June: parades, sardines & Fado music
In June, the month of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints), the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities, parades and live music that take over the city’s historical center.
The main Saints’ days are for Santo Antonio (June 12-13), John (June 23-24) and Peter (June 28-29). Program ‘Festas de Lisboa’ (also in English)
All the streets in the historical center are decorated with garlands and lights.
Historic Alfama, in June 2008.
Santo Antonio festivities & Portuguese flags (EFC) football
Lisbon craziest night of the year in area Alfama, nearby Mouraria (YouTube)
Restaurant ‘A Tasquinha’,
Largo Contador Mor, Castelo area, really good sardines!
Eating sardines while listening to the fado singers.
Fado came long after Saint Anthony, but its major theme is nostalgia and longing-for what is lost and for what has never been gained. Anthony fits right into this scene!
Live fado music in Alfama
The streets are filled with the delicious (strong) smell of sardines being grilled. It’s not a good time for the sardines 😉 though as everywhere in Lisbon you see people grilling sardines outside their homes and the narrow streets fill up people in party mood.
Sardines & Saint Anthony festivities belong together
On the night of June 12 you can enjoy the famous yearly Santo Antonio costume Parade. All the clubs and associations of Lisbons’ neighbourhoods descend on Avenida da Liberdade to compete for the best parade, music, costume and choreography.
More…..
