ABOUT SANTARÉM: Capital of the Gothic in Portugal and the beautiful Ribatejo region

The century. XVI is one of the greatest periods of cultural development of the city, reflecting the different presences of a palace and cultured court, and on the other hand, benefiting from a prosperous mercantile capitalism. They were performed various jobs (usually of improvement from previous builds), to taste manufactory and that can be observed, for example, on the facade of the Church of Santa Maria de Marvila, where stands out the magnificent portico with its own decorative program this season ; inside, deserve attention the chancel, with polinervada vault and whose closing stones bearing crosses of Christ and the elegant triumphal arch. The Manueline Gothic cloister of St. Francis, are another testimony of the campaigns made in that style. In details of civil buildings, it is also reflected this stylistic grammar. This is the case of the window divided by mullion in two-lobed arch spans, the main floor of a house in Square Sá da Bandeira, or another window detached from the Quinta das patent Ómnias in St. John of Alporão. In the reign of King John III, however, will progressively taking weight the influence of humanistic and Italianate culture at the expense of Manueline art.

Reflected in such current renaissance in some buildings, among others: in the Holy Miracle Church (whose miracle made the town in medieval times, one of the religious centers of

utmost importance not only of Portugal, but even in Europe), which are observed ships structured by round arches resting on Tuscan columns and arches worked the iconostasis; in the Church of Santa Cruz da Ribeira with a beautiful pulpit based on column; in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount where is observed an extensive porch porch with nineteen smooth columns with capitals decorated with wormlike scrolls, plant motifs and heads of angels in the middle of abacuses, evoking Florentine influences. But the example that best represents the Renaissance in Santarém is the Church of Mercy, kind of church-hall (hallenkirchen) with thick Tuscan columns that organize the interior of the temple of three ships at the same height and ribbed vaults cross. This is a copy of the mid-century. XVI, where it is already feel the religious of the designated style-floor architecture, which reflects the "philosophy" out of the Counter-Reformation canons. This type of churches, subject to a rational functionalism, was widely reported by the Society of Jesus and is well represented in the built heritage of Santarém, most notably the College Church of the Jesuits. This type of architecture "tea" mannerist influenced materially from religious buildings constructed in the Portuguese Empire, particularly in Brazil. Also in civil architecture of the city can be observed Mannerist features some buildings, and here the common aspects of this stylistic current, the corner balcony with bay windows and the center column.

TRADITIONS: RIBATEJO REGION

From a geographical point of view, the Ribatejo is divided into three natural regions: Wetland, Quarter and Heath.The Wet Area comprises the area of the floodplain river and surrounding land, and includes alluvial soils of excellent quality, where the vineyard boasts all its vigor. Fertilíssimas these lands beyond the vineyard are cereal crops, melons, tomatoes and excellent pasture for beef cattle and horses.The neighborhood appears on the right bank of the Tagus (North Ribatejo), with some sharp relief, adjacent and sandstone formations, limestone and clay in shades which are varied and can range from off-white to the brownish, red and orange. In these clay soils are shrub and tree crops in which prevails the olive tree who lives close to the vines, wheat and corn.The Moor extends from the left bank of the river Tagus to the Alentejo (South of Ribatejo). It is sandy soil, including vast areas of cork oak and eucalyptus and pine trees. But you can also see, in more favorable locations, cereal crops and vines, as well as rice in the most irrigated areas.The Ribatejo herdsmen of Wetland and Heath used as full costume: white shirt, red vest, trousers and blue coat, white socks and green cap with embodied edge. The Ribatejo Neighborhood campinos use as full costume: white shirt, black vest, pants and black coat, white socks and black cap.