Caldas da Rainha is a beautiful city in Portugal. It is not one of those that many people flock to on vacation, but it does offer beautiful parks, great architecture and very unique ceramics.
Caldas is known for a few things though. The town translates to the Queen’s Bath since it holds the hot springs known for their healing properties.
It is also known for its pottery and ceramics. Everywhere in the town, you can see the beauty in store windows, the bus stations, and the sides of buildings.
And you can also see penises. Lots of them.
What is the story behind these?
I wish I could give you something more piercing than the truth, but little is known as to why these phalluses are so popular.
The main story is that King Dom Luis asked the local potters to make him something different. The best they could do was a ceramic dick. The king was pleased and thus began the craze.
Another theory proposed that these members were popular with visitors because of their naughtiness. How fun would it be to give your mother a ceramic prick from your latest trip to Europe?
But all good things must come to an end and thus sales are decreasing. Now that every person from the age of 11 knows how to draw these on desks, no one really wants them anymore. But that may be my opinion as an ex middle-school teacher coming out.
So let me know if I need to pick one of these up for you. I’ll make sure you get it by Christmas so you can display it by the tree.
Caldas da Rainha and Portugal have some unique Christmas traditions as well. Check out this story about roasted chestnuts.
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.