The wonderful Portuguese culture

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Feira de São Mateus

"The historic cultural summer fair of Viseu"

"A Feira de São Mateus histórica e cultural de Viseu"

Discover the historic cultural summer fair of Viseu

The historic cultural summer fair of Viseu, known as Feira de São Mateus, is one of Portugal's oldest and most iconic festivals. It dates back to the Middle Ages. Held annually for one and a half months, this fair blends tradtion, music, gastronomy, crafts and entertainment. Every year, thousands of visitors from across the country, come to celebrate a rich cultural heritage in a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

What are the topics of this post?

The summer fair of Viseu * History * Join to celebrate

keywords:

#saomateus, #summerfair, #summerfestival, #viseu, #historic, #centralportugal

Estimated read time: 5 minutes

The summer fair of Viseu in August and September

"A huge fair for one and a half months in the summer"

Every year, you have to be in Viseu for one of the oldest summer fairs of Portugal. From the beginning of August to mid-September, you can enjoy the Feira de São Mateus in the city centre of Viseu. This historical fair dates from the 14th century. It is held on Campo de Viriato, near the Jardim da Ribeira. Here you'll find a lot of attractions, animations, hand crafts. All together with a lot of stands to eat and drink something and a concert stage.

The summer fair of Viseu with a lot of attractions

This city festival is also a huge summer fair with a lot of attractions. Attractions for every age. Ideal to enjoy and pass your time in an entertainment atmosphere. The feira de São Mateus is a summer fair for young and old, for families and couples.

Famous artists perform as cultural entertainment

Every year, also a lot of famous Portuguese artists and music groups take present to perform on the concert stage. For most of these concerts you have to buy your tickets. Some of the famous artists are the great fadista Mariza, Rita Guerra, the brothers of Calema or Nena. Famous in Portugal and people who are interested in the Portuguese community. The Feira de São Mateus is the ideal stage and setting to enjoy one of the best typical Portuguese summer festivals. My personal advice is don't miss it when you are in the possibility to go there once.

Hand crafts like the history of the summer fair

Finally, on the Feira de São Mateus you also find many stands with many hand crafts and local products. Which is the origin of this festival. For people who like typical local hand crafts, stroll through the many stands where you maybe find the ideal product you always wanted to have.

A festival from the Middle Ages

"Established by King Dom John I"

The Feira de São Mateus is a historic cultural summer fair. It was established by King Dom John I and held for the first time in 1392. In that time, it was a commercial event where local traders could exhibit their goods. Over the centuries, the cultural and entertainment aspects were added. This attracted visitors from across the whole country. As a result, this event was growing into the vibrant and festive fair that it still is today. Today, the Feira de São Mateus attracts every year thousands of visitors from across the country. Which makes it one of the oldest historic and cultural summer fairs of Portugal.

From Feira Franca to Feira São Mateus

The first name of this festival was the Feira Franca. During the many centuries, the festival had also many different names. Because under each king of the Portuguese Kingdom, they wanted to add or change something from their own. In the 16th century, the fair also moved from the original Rossio square to the Rossio da Ribeira. The square where you find the Viriato Monument. According historic documentation, this fair would also have been situated around the Saint Matthew's Day, 21 September. The fair would been 15 days before and 15 days after this name day. This is why the name of this city festival changed to Feira de São Mateus, Saint Matthew's Fair. Now the fair is one and a half months before 21 September.

Now it is up to you for this historic summer fair

"Time to join this historic summer fair of Viseu"

Finally, it is up to you! Plan your Portugal trip that way that you are in the area of Viseu in August or September. This is the perfect way to join this historic cultural summer fair of Viseu. It is a huge festival during the summer months and a must-do when you have the possibility. Click here to read more about the Feira de São Mateus on their own website. As well as how to buy tickets for the paying event days and the concerts. Press the button below to find your perfect stay in Viseu.

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