Tradition dictates that the Penamacor tree is lit on the night of December 23rd and ‘resists’ until January 6th.
The village of Penamacor, in the district of Castelo Branco, has once again fulfilled tradition: the largest tree in the country is now lit.
Thousands of people gather at Largo da Igreja Matriz, where young people turning 18 left tons of cork oak trunks. Once upon a time, only boys old enough to join the troops were responsible for the task. Nowadays, the organization also brings together girls.
The night is spent among friends and family and also tourists, singing around the bonfire.
