Podence, a village in northern Portugal, is best known for its singular Carnival of Podence, where the Caretos — masked trickster figures clad in vivid, fringed costumes and rattling bells — take over the streets.

Their playful chases and exuberant presence mark the symbolic passage from winter to spring, echoing ancient fertility rituals that have shaped the region’s cultural identity. Recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this tradition thrives through deep community involvement, with younger generations actively sustaining it.

The village itself reflects this devotion: houses, shops, and public spaces often display artworks celebrating the Caretos, weaving the ritual into everyday life.