Santa Maria da Feira must her name to one long tradition; already in 1117, a document makes reference to the “Earth of Santa Maria, a place that calls Fair”, alluding to to the fairs and markets maintained in the low part of the hill where the castle rises and where the farmers could find grains, agricultural instruments, tools, fabrics and all the necessary one for the daily life.
Nowadays, still a monthly fair in the old and extensive landing of Rossio takes place, of where enormous double stairs raise that lead to the Church of the Lóios, with pretty decorated tiles of century XVII, and to the Convent of San Eloy.
The charming strength exhibits its pinnacles and battlements proudly, crowning this town of winding streets with houses of centuries XVIII and XIX, the beautiful ornamental source of century XVIII in the Praça Velha (Old Seat) and the Church of the Mercy, of he himself period.
Prosperous, due to the industry of the cork and in spite of the influence exerted by the near Oporto, Santa Maria gives Feira presents/displays the calm of last centuries, concrete atmosphere in center historical and in the hoisted park that surrounds the fort.
In January the Festa is celebrated it give Fogaceiras, popular romería traditional where the local specialty is honored, fogaças, a sweet bread of wheat, delicate flavor.
The region is full of pine groves intermingled with maizales and crossed by streams, with wood barns placed on pillars of stone and houses of farmers of century XIX with enormous doors to allow the passage of the carts of oxen.