Promoted by the municipality, the 38th edition of the Festa
do Castanheiro - Feira da Castanha is considered by the promoters as the “queen
of all parties” in the historic municipality.
“From wine to chestnuts, everything is produced in the
region, [because] we purchase these products from local producers”, underlined the
mayor of Marvão, Luís Vitorino.
According to the mayor, during the event, “if the weather is
good”, the historic village of Marvão should welcome “about 14,000 visitors”, a
total that has already been achieved in previous editions, before the Covid-19
pandemic.
In the Marvão area, with a microclimate considered “unique”,
provided by the São Mamede mountain range, species of Bária and Clarinha
chestnuts predominate in the fields.
This microclimate, conducive to the production of chestnuts,
has already led the entities that oversee the sector to consider the Marvão
chestnut as a protected origin.
During the event, the public will also be able to observe artisans
working the traditional embroideries with chestnut shells or basketry in
chestnut wood, while there will also be live entertainment.
The Chestnut Festival opens at 10:00 am on Saturday, with a
ceremony in the producers' tent, which includes the blessing of chestnuts.
Entrance to the Feira da Castanha costs one euro, with the
money being donated to the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters
of Marvão.