Wooden Toys

José Manuel Chinarro

Alentejo

José Manuel Chinarro could paint before he could read. His talent was evident from an early age, and over time, he refined his technique under the guidance of various masters, becoming one of the most celebrated painters in the Alentejo.

Walls, canvases, tiles, furniture—no surface is off-limits to his creativity. But beyond painting, he keeps the tradition of wooden toys alive, selling them every Saturday at the Estremoz market.

Related Categories

Tomato soup is a misleading name. This Alentejo dish is much more than a soup—it’s a meal in its...
Reading Time 1’
The old station of Nossa Senhora de Machede – Our Lady of Machede – is part of the defunct “ramal...
Reading Time 1’
In Nossa Senhora de Machede, tradition is still very much alive. If you pass by a house and see ...
Reading Time 1’
When the land gives purslane, it’s time to make a soup. If the fava beans are full, you make soup...
Reading Time 1’
In Nossa Senhora de Machede, tradition is still very much alive. If you pass by a house and see ...
Reading Time 1’
Wandering through the streets of Évora is to understand why it has been a UNESCO World Heritage S...
Reading Time 1’
Traditional building techniques are more valued than ever, perfectly adapted to the climate and t...
Reading Time 1’