Are you familiar with Miranda do Douro, friends interested in Portugal immigration? It is a city in the northern part of the Bragança District of Portugal, situated on high mountains, with a population of approximately 200 residents. In addition to Portuguese, the residents of this region have their own language—Mirandese (a Romance language, officially known as Mirandese in Portugal).
You might be curious why they speak another language besides Portuguese here. In fact, this is closely related to its history: Miranda do Douro has a very long history. It was occupied by the ancient Romans and later ruled by the Arabs in the 8th century, who named it "Mir Andul," which gradually evolved into "Miranda." Due to its geographical location near the Spanish border, it became an important strategic defensive point. In the 7th century, the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, ordered the construction of a castle and city walls, which were later transformed into a true fortress.
It is worth mentioning that during the 16th century, it was elevated to the status of a diocese of Trás-os-Montes and entered a period of prosperity. Many buildings began to be constructed here, such as the Santa Maria Maior Church, which was elevated to the status of a cathedral over the following two centuries.
In the 17th century, with the outbreak of the Portuguese Restoration War against Spain and the subsequent French invasions, the city suffered multiple setbacks and lost its importance.
Today, Miranda do Douro is famous for its colorful and vibrant folk culture: the stick dancers of Miranda wear typical local long skirts and dance joyfully to the rhythm of bagpipes, the origins of which can be traced back to the Celtic occupation of the region during the Iron Age. In addition, the Mirandese dialect, spoken only locally, is unique, and the local cuisine is particularly famous for the "Posta Mirandesa," a dish made from the beef of excellent locally raised cattle.
When the locals dance together around a bonfire and share the joy of a feast, do our Chinese friends in Portugal think of China's ethnic minorities? If you have time, why not visit and experience it for yourself?