It was not just now that the tendency came to compare Portuguese places to places abroad. It is already a habit, for example, to compare the small fishing village of Burgau, in the Algarve, to the Greek island of Santorini, as it is common to point similarities between some beaches of the leventy Algarve and the Maldives. However, there is another place in the Algarve that is not so touristy and where it will also ‘look’ that is abroad.
It is in the municipality of Castro Marim, in the Algarve, that is one of the most shared natural landscapes on social networks. The Odeleite Ribeira gained international dimension after the release of an aerial photograph showing the stream with a blue dragon -like format. Anyone looking for “Blue Dragon River” on Google will be immediately confronted with images of this serpenty watercourse in bluish tones, surrounded by margins of brown tones.
It was on social networks that Ribeira won protagonism
The image of Ribeira, captured from an air angle, provides a different perspective from reality, creating the illusion of being before a mythological creature. This visual feature was what aroused global interest, especially in social networks.
According to the platform, linked to Turismo de Portugal, the Odeleite dam was built on the Odeleite Ribeira, a tributary from the Guadiana River. This stream originates from the Serra do Caldeirão and crosses a rugged relief zone until it flows into the dam. The albufeira created by the dam is responsible for the visual effect known as “Rio do Dragão Azul”.
‘Unexpected’ connection to Chinese culture
The air image that gave rise to the phenomenon was released in 2015. Since then, it has been referenced in various international media. The shape of the reservoir, similar to a blue dragon, quickly gained attention in Asia, especially in China. This animal is a traditional symbol of power, strength and good luck, being associated with the figure of the emperor at various times of Chinese history.
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Increased tourism in the region
Over time, the place began to receive more visitors, driven by the image that circulated globally. Many tourists sought to see what became known as the “Blue Dragon River”. The region of Castro Marim, where the dam is located, became in the scripts of those who sought to know the Algarve beyond the beaches. The phenomenon contributed to the tourist appreciation of the interior Algarve.
Heritage of the village of Odeleite
The small village of Odeleite, near the dam, also aroused the curiosity of those visiting the region. Visit Portugal also writes that among the points of interest of the locality are the Mother Church, dated 1534, as well as traces of Roman occupation. The area is also characterized by several water and windmills, traditional elements of Algarve rural architecture.
In addition to the visual aspect that attracts attention, the region offers other possibilities for visitors. There are pedestrian rails, nature walks, local cuisine and proximity to other algarve locations of historical and cultural interest. Combining natural and human heritage, Odeleite is in one of the less known parts of the Algarve.
During the COVID-19 confinement period, many internet users again shared the air image of the “blue dragon”, helping to keep curiosity around the place. The landscape thus became a symbol of visual escapism, allowing people around the world to travel without leaving home. Social networks remain the main vehicle for the image disclosure.
Chinese began to visit Ribeira
The impact of photography was such that it led to the association of the reservoir with Asian culture, which reinforced the presence of Chinese tourists. This unexpected exchange between Portuguese geography and eastern symbolism gave a new dimension to the image captured in 2015.
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