The tradition originated from a donation made by a woman, whose name is unknown, so that the inhabitants of the area could eat chestnuts and drink wine once a year.

The Council of Açdeia Viçosa highlights that the event celebrates the solidarity that “a very wealthy old woman expressed with her people, drawing up a will in which chestnuts and wine were to be given to people, every year.

“On December 26, we will have what the will obliges us to do, which is chestnuts and wine, to distribute among the people as a way of replicating the old woman’s charitable gesture”.

This year, 200 kilograms of chestnuts and 50 litres of wine will be distributed. There will also be sweets for the children, toast with olive oil from Aldeia Viçosa and at the end of the event chestnut soup will be served.

Luís Prata noted that every year the quantity of chestnuts distributed increases, especially because the event attracts more and more visitors and tourists.

The “Magusto da Velha” program scheduled for Tuesday begins at 2.30pm and includes a mass “for the soul of the old woman”.

“There will be a small market with regional products and crafts, entertainment and chestnut soup will be served.”

This event is thought to originate from the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century, however there are clues that it could be much older.