Customs and Traditions of Vila Real
● Bisalhães Black Clay
Vila Real pottery is the best known and most appreciated custom in the Vila Real region, having been created over 600 years ago. It is called “Barro de Bisalhães” or “Black Clay” and has been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
The conception of this pottery dates back to medieval times, as this municipality was known at the time as the Municipality of Oleiros. This is because 13th century documentation mentions barriers at the Monastery of Pombeiro, which is why the craftsmen of this municipality travelled there to obtain raw materials and thus receive some kind of payment.
The areas of Lordelo and Mondrões stood out as the most prone to clay sculptures.
Clay and its related trades have grown from decade to decade, but this growth was particularly marked in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The aforementioned growth became good news in the 18th century with the demarcation of the Douro wines, devised by the Marquis of Pombal, and all that this entailed. This required walls to divide the land and terraces to flatten the slopes. That said, demand for clay increased and the pottery market boomed in the years that followed.
But as all things come to an end, the natural demand for pottery saw a decline. The construction of the IP4 motorway drove away the national and regional market, as many potters who had their shops on the street were located on the national road (once used as the main road between municipalities).
Later, plastic, a cheaper and less “dirty” product, made this practice worse. Many artisans couldn’t cope with this decline and so ended up disappearing. With the exception of Bisalhães, which still exists today.
This practice is passed down almost exclusively through family ties, but its future is in danger of disappearing. There is less and less interest among the younger generations in continuing the tradition.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the black clay of Bisalhães was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the second decade of the 21st century, and this has raised hopes for its recovery.
The pieces are made for decorative and culinary purposes. They are made from black clay and their assembly process is considered special and unique. The pieces are fired in an “open-air” kiln, which is nothing more than a hole in the ground filled with wood. The process is completely natural and the chemical components of the clay also end up evaporating, as the temperature is very high and the kiln is not left open at the end.
● “Bisarro Ceramics”
Bisarro is a recent brand that has given continuity to the well-known “Barro de Bisalhães”. It is a contemporary ceramics brand, designed by the Bisarro Design Studio, and is usually produced by hand by local Portuguese artisans.
The process of firing the pieces is the same as in the past. They are made by hand using moulds and fired using the Soenga method, an ancient and unique method of firing clay, which gives it its characteristic black colour.
This project only has a more modern vision in the design of the pieces, which is why they say “they are unique pieces, designed for today’s homes, produced and fired using yesterday’s processes.”
● The Covilhete
Covilhete, also known as “Empadinhas de carne”, appeared in 1982 in the book “Cozinha Tradicional Portuguesa” by Manuel Ferreira, with the recipe for Covilhetes de Vila Real.
At that time you had to go to Vila Real, and more specifically to Pastelaria Gomes, to try this delicacy, but nowadays almost every parish and municipality in this district produces it.
They are round pastries filled with beef. The outer pastry is made from flour, butter, veal kidney fat, olive oil and salt to taste. The filling is made from beef, ham, onion, parsley, olive oil, white wine and salt. A great way to accompany it is with a glass of wine of your choice.
They are very popular throughout the day, or even as a main meal.
● Pito de Santa Luzia
The “Pito de Santa Luzia” tradition is an annual activity around the chapel of Santa Luzia, in the historic area of Vila Real. Every year, on 13 December, it is a tradition for women to buy Pito to give to their husbands/boyfriends.
More than a conventual sweet, Pitos are an object of seduction. They are much appreciated as a treat and are therefore a great option at any time of the day.
It’s a speciality with a pumpkin jam filling and a flour paste topping.
● Ganchas de São Brás
Ganchas de São Brás are a typical sweet from the Vila Real region. They are not considered convent sweets, as they are associated with the religious and popular beliefs of their ancestors.
They are a traditional stick-shaped sweet. Some say that the Gancha was an “instrument” with a calming effect on irritations and inflammations of the throat. Another version is that the Gancha symbolises the crucifix of the bishop of São Brás, who is considered the patron saint of throat diseases.
● Vila Real International Circuit
The Vila Real International Circuit has been an urban circuit of around 4,600 kilometres in Vila Real since 2007. The so-called “Vila Real Races” have been Vila Real’s most important tourist attraction for many years, and are undoubtedly the city’s hallmark on the national and international scene.
This circuit was born in 1931, taking advantage of the characteristics of some of the roads that connected the centre of Vila Real to the outskirts of the Mateus Palace. The first edition took place on 15 June, with the help of the committee that organised the city’s festivities and other well-known people in the city, such as
other people already known in the city, such as Mr Aureliano Barrigas, and with the support of the Northern Regional section of the Automobile Club of Portugal.
At the time, the circuit had some problems, as it was on a dirt track, which led to high visibility problems.
In the years that followed, the races became more visible, until they began to internationalise, with foreign drivers taking part.
It is usually in June that this motoring tradition is celebrated and it is at this time of year that thousands of Portuguese and foreigners are attracted to this two-day event.
