Did you know that there is a land called Picha in Portugal? And that there is even a place known as Degolados? From north to south, Portugal is a veritable map of creativity when it comes to place names. That’s why we’ve decided to create a themed itinerary with some of the strangest land names in Portugal.
From unintentional puns to unusual appellations, some of these cases seem straight out of a joke, but they are very real. From allusions to the pandemic to caliente references, get ready to embark on an unusual journey. And, who knows, maybe you’ll have the pretext for a road trip that’s different, to say the least.
Table Of Contents
- Rabo de Peixe: tradition and popularity
- Colo de Pito: a reflection of Roman times
- Picha: from resin collection to humor
- Deixa-o-Resto: curiosity reigns supreme
- Chiqueiro: picturesque place
- Venda da Gaita: a rural meeting point
- Covide: history and present
- Degolados: without a horror movie
- Coina: origin without the 'little red ball'
Rabo de Peixe: tradition and popularity
Located in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, Rabo de Peixe is a small town that has recently gained international fame. Why? In particular, because of the Portuguese series of the same name, which was a hit on Netflix.
If you look at the place name, it reflects the abundance of fish tails once consumed in the town; an example of how tradition and local culture give rise to strange land names in Portugal.
Colo de Pito: a reflection of Roman times
The name of the village of Colo de Pito, located in the municipality of Castro Daire, in the district of Viseu, dates back to Latin and Roman times, meaning “Painted Hill”.
Although the name raises many smiles, the truth is that it is a tribute to the natural beauty of the village, located near the mythical National Road 2.
Picha: from resin collection to humor
Picha is a frequent reference in articles of this kind. His name immediately attracts attention and humor. However, contrary to what you might think, its origins are not related to anything ‘spicy’, quite the opposite.
This small village, in the municipality of Pedrógão Grande, owes its place name to the town’s intrinsic connection with the traditional activity of collecting pine resin, which for many years was the main source of livelihood for its inhabitants.
Deixa-o-Resto: curiosity reigns supreme
Deixa-o-Resto, a small village in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém, is another case that deserves a special mention in this list.
After all, this name arouses curiosity, to say the least. In fact, it can be an excellent starting point for exploring the local beaches or the Santo André Lagoon.
Chiqueiro: picturesque place
The term “chico” derives from a very old word meaning pig, while “eiró” refers to the idea of a pig pen, hence the name Chiqueiro. Therefore, the name of this village in the Serra da Lousã reveals a past directly linked to farming.
However, don’t let the name fool you. In other words, the name may not be the most pleasant, but the truth is that the village of Chiqueiro has a picturesque feel, quite typical of villages in this part of the country.
Venda da Gaita: a rural meeting point
It seems that Pedrógão Grande is a reference point for strange land names in Portugal. This is because, after Picha, we now have another case, namely the now popular village of Venda da Gaita.
Once again, the origin of the name is associated with common practices of yesteryear. In this case, it’s probably related to the existence of a small tavern or trading post, which was very important in rural areas, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Covide: history and present
Located in the municipality of Terras de Bouro, close to the fantastic Peneda Gerês National Park, Covide is a village that, by its name, immediately harks back to the fateful times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the contemporary reference, the history of this place is much older. It bears witness to the Iron Age, such as the Calçada da Calcedónia footpath and the Fraga da Cidade.
Degolados: without a horror movie
At first glance, the name Degolados may conjure up images worthy of a horror movie, but the reality is far less macabre than you might think.
Located in the municipality of Campo de Maior, in the Alentejo, the history of its name is linked to an ancient stream, once called Degolados, now known as Ribeiro das Horas.
Coina: origin without the ‘little red ball’
Coina is one of Portugal’s strangest, or rather humorous, land names. It immediately points to ‘red ball’ jokes. However, its origin is quite different.
Although there is no consensus, it is believed that Coina (in the municipality of Barreiro) is the result of an evolution of the ancient Latin toponym “Equabona” or “Aquabona”.
Over time, it would have gradually evolved into Coina, which can be further reinforced by the existence of a stream with the same name that runs through the area.
We’ve only mentioned nine in this article, but the truth is that there are many more lands with strange names spread from the north to the south of Portugal. Without a doubt, creativity is part of the Portuguese cultural DNA, don’t you think?
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