Although quiet and secluded, the Quinta is by no means isolated, being only 5kms. from Barcelos the home of the most famous folk art ceramic of Portugal - the "Galo de Barcelos". This multicoloured cockerel (available in all sizes)! symbolizes this ancient legend: A Galician passing through Barcelos on his way to Santiago da Compostela in Spain was accused and convicted of a crime. During his final plea at the judge's house, he exclaimed in frustration, "As certainly as I am innocent, it is equally certain that that cock will rise up and crow when I am hanged." The chicken in question was a roasted one on the judge's dinner table, and the pilgrim's claim provoked much laughter among those present. Of course at the proper moment the roasted chicken arose and crowed. The judge managed to reach the gallows just before the poor man met his fate and released him. He returned to Barcelos many years later and built a monument to St. James which is now in the towns' Archaeological Museum. Barcelos is also home to the famous thursday market in which you can buy anything, from an ox-cart to a hand woven bathmat. There are as many cafe's, cakeshops and restaurants as there are fashion and shoe shops, stocking international brands as well as locally manufactured goods. More >>>  Pictures: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7]