Situated on the west bank of the River Tagus, just 32 km north-east
of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira is said
to have been founded by French followers of Afonso Henriques
around 1200.
The town is mostly famous for its bull-running festivals in
July and October. Bulls are raised in the salty marshlands of
the Ribatejo, which is also a notable breeding ground for the
magnificent Lusitano horse, esteemed for its quick reflexes
and maneuverability.
What to see. A number of brightly-coloured Portuguese bullfighting
costumes are on display in the ethnographic museum on Praça
de Touros. Nearby, the town's Misericórdia church features
striking 18th-century azulejo glazed tiles.
Nearby. 3 km south of Vila Franca de Xira lies the Lezíria
Grande Equestrian Centre, where visitors can watch stylish displays
of the impressive Lusitano horses. The centre also stages typical
bullfighting spectacles in its outdoor bullring. Visitors can
ride Lusitano horses and take dressage lessons at the Quinta
de São Sebastião, a sprawling estate at Arruda
dos Vinhos, 11 km west of Vila Franca de Xira.
