Ferreira do Zêzere is a wonderful small town in the center of Portugal, however, it is not a tourism center. Having the chance to spend two weeks there on an artist’s residency allowed me to explore some of the local sights and events that someone just passing through might miss.
Market Days
Ferreira do Zêzere has market days twice every week, on Mondays and Saturdays. Both days offer a choice of local food, fruit and vegetables, meat, and fish. On Mondays the market expands to include home goods. These can include cooking utensils and ceramic dishes, hardware fixtures, and other necessities.
Music Festivals
Ferreira Do Zêzere hosts several music festivals every year, but the biggest one happens in August. This festival celebrates both local folk traditions and some major Portuguese pop-stars. For three days, the plaza in front of the town’s market is transformed into a performance space. Two stages are built, one for the folk groups and one for the professional acts. One side of the plaza is lined with booths sponsored by local organizations selling food and beer.
The folk acts performed early in the evening, helping to keep traditional music and dance alive. They were followed by the big name invited performers, who took the stage at around 10 PM. After that a DJ kept the party going until the early hours of the morning.
Capela de São Pedro do Castro
Late one afternoon, one of my hosts came by and said he wanted to take me to see and photograph someplace “special.” His destination was the Capela de São Pedro do Castro (the Saint Peter of Castro Chapel), a small chapel with a beautiful view. The chapel was built during the 15th century as part of pilgrimage route. It sits on the remains of a destroyed Roman fort and temple, built at a strategic position overlooking the Zêzere River.
While the chapel was closed, its exterior is beautiful especially in contrast to the surrounding mountains. It provides wonderful panoramas of the river valley. Its distance from both towns and roads make it a quiet place for contemplation.
Spending time in a small town can be quiet and relaxing. It also offers local cultural events to explore and enjoy.
