From May 22 to 25, the Portuguese city of Mértola will host the 13th edition of its Islamic Festival. Islamic Festival with an excellent program of culture, crafts and music. Dozens of artists and artisans will participate once again in one of the most unique events in the Islamic culture calendar in Europe.

The image chosen this year to promote the Festival is an Andalusian jar discovered in the archaeological excavations of the Alcáçova of the Castle of Mértola, currently on display at the Islamic Art Center of the Cláudio Torres Museum in the Portuguese town. The piece is an exceptional enameled vessel, with decorative elements in green and brown, outlined with manganese lines.

The Mértola Castle will host the opening concert on the 22nd. As in previous years, the Islamic Festival will have half a dozen different stages where all the activities will be programmed. The village souk will host the street market, while the Patio Dos Sons will host the music, dance and percussion shows. The Casa Das Letras, the Academia de Cozinha and the Casa de Chá e Hammam will also offer different cultural events programmed by the Festival.

Mértola is a small town in southern Portugal, which played an important commercial role between Alentejo, Al Andalus and North Africa. After the fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba in 1031, it became an independent taifa until it was conquered by the kingdom of Seville, first, then the court of Badajoz, and the Almohads in 1151. By the banks of the Guadiana River, Mértola has a remarkable archaeological legacy of Andalusian origin, part of which is preserved in the Cláudio Torres Museum.