Celebrating Christmas in style, Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) is again displaying a giant nativity scene, this year at the Centro Cultural António Aleixo; it features over 3,500 figurines and over 16 tons of materials used to build it.
The crib, celebrating its 10th year, has been created by Augusto Rosa and Teresa Marques, with the help of three other volunteers, who spent over 1,500 hours on the project. Most figurines used belong to the municipal collection and are added to each year.
José Carlos Barros, deputy mayor of VRSA, says thousands of people visit the town each Christmas just to admire the display, making it “one of the most symbolic events of the Christmas season in the Algarve”.
As in 2011, entrance costs 50 cents per person to help pay for the materials used and the remaining funds are donated to Guadi, a local association which cares for abandoned animals.
Meanwhile, VRSA is preparing to have a very merry Christmas, with markets and concerts to celebrate the festive season.
Running until January 6, the ‘Christmas Village’ is livening up the Praça Marquês de Pombal with a seasonal market.
Several stands selling Christmas-themed products can be found, as well as carousels, trampolines and bouncy castles to delight the younger visitors. Children will also be able to deliver their letters to Santa at his special ‘house’.
The ‘Christmas Village’ also includes a programme of concerts performed by local associations; these take place each weekend in December.
Anyone wanting to buy some original presents this year can also visit Cacela Velha’s Christmas market this Sunday (December 16) from 10am to 5pm, where artisans will offer their unique masterpieces.
