Event: Portugal

The Feast of the Cross/The Feast of Our Lady of the Castle

When:	3 May 2008 (annual)
Where:	Monsanto Castle
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	All day

Also known as the Feast of our Lady of the Castle, this festival is held in Monsanto Castle to commemorate the end of a prolonged siege.

During a tumultuous period in the Middle Ages, the people of Monsanto were trapped inside the town. As they became increasingly hungry and desperate, they devised a plan to deceive the siegers by throwing a fattened calf over the city walls.

The neat trick was effective and to celebrate this victory every year, the women of Monsanto climb the castle walls to the music of traditional songs and throw pots of flowers and a calf made of roses over the edge.

An ancient ceremony that has survived to this day - but make sure you're not on the receiving end of it!