Portuguese Culture

Fado music is traditionally performed only in Lisbon and Coimbra. In Coimbra it dates back to medieval times with troubadours and nightly serenades outside the window of the woman they were courting. Now it is just performed for tourists. We chose to go to a free evening show put on by one of the restaurants that is located in a chapel attached to the Church of Santa Cruz. The acoustics were excellent and the fado singing has been described as mournful. The singer we believe was a tenor with a strong, beautiful voice. Sadly, we saw him outside after the show smoking a cigarette.

Earlier in the day we came across a small market organized by people in traditional costumes. They were selling baking and handcrafted items but it started to rain so we didn’t stay to get a closer look.Read more