Great cultural interaction. Portugal as a centre of world knowledge and traditions.

At the time of taking its first steps as a nation, Portugal was already a place where different cultures – Christian, Muslim and Jewish - lived peacefully together. But it was the contact with different civilisations throughout the 15th and 16th centuries that made Portugal a living example of the crossover of Portuguese and European inspiration with the customs and artistic heritage of other continents.

This exoticism can still be seen today, both when passing through the streets of cities such as Lisboa and in museum collections. It is reflected in African artefacts made of wood and ivory, in Indo-Portuguese furniture, in Chinese porcelain decorated according to European taste, as well as in the famous Japanese Nambam screens, depicting the arrival of the Portuguese and their customs in Japan.

In turn, the Portuguese came back to Europe with new ideas and sciences, flavours, knowledge, precious stones and exotic timber. These exchanges of foreign products that were hitherto unknown stimulated scientific knowledge and the creation and purchase of specific masterpieces, from paintings to jewellery.

This cross-fertilization of inspiration and tastes has bequeathed an atmosphere of rare charm in Portugal that can nowadays be sampled both in the nature of the people and their gastronomy.

The Portuguese distinguish themselves from other nationalities by their tolerance and openness towards other cultures and by their diligence in understanding and trying to speak the languages of visitors. In Portuguese cuisine, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon are just some of the many spices that enhance the flavours of the dishes, as well as other products that used to be considered exotic in the past, but which having been introduced and made familiar by the Portuguese, have become as indispensable as corn, tomatoes, rice and tea.

by turismodeportugal