Barcelos Market (photo: Egien)

Barcelos is famous for three inter-related things. It's been at the centre of Portugal's traditional pottery industry for the last fifty years with its brown earthenware with yellow dots, louca de Barcelos.

Barcelos (photo: Joao Carvalho)

This can be seen en masse and purchased at the Feira de Barcelos, which takes place every Thursday on the Campo da Feira in the town centre.

Galo de Barcelos

But perhaps the best-known memento of Barcelos is the cockerel, based on a legend and adopted as a national symbol. The story goes that a traveller from Galicia had been condemned to death by the local court.

Palace of the Duques de Braganca, Barcelos (photo: Emanuel Coutinho)

The judge was intending to have roast chicken for his dinner until the prisoner, continuing to protest his innocence, declared that the bird would rise from the table and crow to prove that should he end up on the gallows.

Palace of the Condes de Barcelos, Barcelos (photo: Joao Carvalho)

At the fatal moment the bird did indeed come to life and perform as predicted and the victim was reprieved. So was born the Galo de Barcelos, which you'll find in countless forms of pottery throughout Portugal.

Igreja de Barqueiros, Barcelos (photo: Joseolgon)

Barcelos is a pleasant place with a notable church, Templo do Bom Jesus da Cruz, archaeological and pottery museums and the Rio Cavado river frontage.

Templo do Bom Jesus da Cruz, Barcelos (photo: Sara Araujo)

There are bus and train stations to help you explore the area, with trips to Braga or Guimaraes or further afield to Viana do Castelo northwards or Porto to the south. The coast at Esposende is about 16km due west.

Ponte de Barcelos (photo: Joao Carvalho)

Pelourinho, Barcelos (photo: Emanuel Coutinho)

Torre da Porta Nova, Barcelos (photo: Emanuel Coutinho)

Barcelos (photo: Joao Carvalho)

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