Roundabout Alentejo Singing

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Beja > Serpa > Serpa > Salvador e Santa Maria

Location:

The Cante Alentejano Roundabout is integrated into Serpa's urban fabric, specifically in the Salvador and Santa Maria urbanization. This area, characteristic of the locality's development, is located in the municipality of Serpa, in the heart of Alentejo. Its location allows for an easy perception of local daily life and how culture manifests in the town's public spaces.

Integrated into a point of daily circulation, the roundabout marks a space that invites observation, representing an element that enriches the urban landscape of the locality, far from the busiest areas of the historic center, yet still visible in the lives of passers-by.

Homage to Cante

The roundabout's name, Cante Alentejano, is a clear and well-deserved homage to one of Alentejo's most unique cultural expressions. Cante Alentejano is a collective singing, performed without musical instruments, characterized by the unison voice of choirs that interpret themes related to field work, nature, and daily life in the region.

This form of singing has significant global recognition. On November 27, 2014, Cante Alentejano was classified by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The candidacy for this distinction was largely promoted by the Serpa Municipal Council and the Regional Tourism Entity, underscoring Serpa's deep connection and commitment to safeguarding and promoting this tradition.

Symbol of Local Identity

More than a mere traffic point, the Cante Alentejano Roundabout functions as a tangible symbol of Alentejo identity in Serpa. It represents the valorization of a cultural legacy that manifests in the voices of its singers and the soul of its people.

By publicly highlighting this tradition, the roundabout serves as a permanent reminder of the region's cultural richness and the pride residents feel for Cante. For visitors, it's a point that evokes the sound and spirit of Alentejo, inviting reflection on the importance of intangible heritage in shaping a people's identity.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt