Culture

The Portuguese stem from the Iberians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. The Arabic influence can still be recognized today by the architecture of many buildings.
Portugal is known for its melancholic Fado, a mix of Portuguese sailor songs and African slave rhythms. Even after her death, Amalia Rodriguez is still considered to be the most famous Fado singer. Meanwhile many musicians made a name for themselves and bring out new variations of the Fado. The cliché of the melancholic ethnic soul of Portugal might be traced back to the sad songs of this type of music.
Literature experts will probably know the name José Sarmango who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998. Another internationally known author is António Lobo Antunes.
On 7 July 2007, the “Seven New Wonders of the World” were announced in Portugal. At the same time the “Wonders of Portugal” were also elected. These important cultural monuments will take you on a journey into the past. To these belong castle complexes, palaces and monasteries across the whole country and some of these have been listed to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.