The Horse Fair at Moita

One of Portugal's most colourful and popular horse fairs takes place from 6-9 July in the provincial town of Moita.

Currently in its 10th year, the X Feira Equestre da Moita, promoted the by the local municipality together with the Associação Equestre Moitense, is a country showcase with bullfights, horse shows, riding competitions, horseball matches, working equitation classes, fado and folk dancing.

Moita was originally a small township of fishermen and coalmen which, in the XV century had a small chapel dedicated to S. Sebastião. As is the case with Barreiro and Montijo, the privileged situation of the place made both river and land connections easy, helping to develop tho economy of the region very quickly.

In XVII century it was already considered a town. From 1861 its area has stretched as far as Alhos Vedros, where the Count of Barcelos had a palace. This may account for the sumptuousness of the religious monuments, so rare in this area.