Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Lisboa, Portugal — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
 

A Ginjinha

 
 
A Ginjinha Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2024
1. A Ginjinha Marker
Inscription.  
A Ginjinha do largo de São Domingos, propriedade de um galego, de nome Espinheira, foi o primeiro estabelecimento em Lisboa a comercializar a bebida que lhe dá o nome e que rapidamente se transformou num ex libris da cidade. Por conselho de um frade da Igreja de Santo Antonio. Espinheira fez a experiência de deixar fermenta ginjas dentro de aguardente, juntando-lhe açúcar, água e canela. O êxito foi imediato, quer por ser doce, quer por ser barato, a Ginjinia transformou-se na bebida típica de Lisboa.

A Ginjinha do Largo de São Domingos, owned by a Galician, named Espinheira, was the first shop in Lisboa to sell the beverage after which it is named and which soon became one of the city's ex-libris. Advised by a friar from the Igreja de Santo António, Espinheira made the experiment of letting cherries ferment in brandy, adding sugar, water and cinnamon. Success was immediate, both because it was sweet and because it was inexpensive, and the Ginjinha became the typical beverage of Lisboa.
 
Erected by Lisboa Câmara Municipal, Turismo de Lisboa.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
 
Location. 38° 42.883′ N, 9° 8.343′ W. Marker is in Lisboa. It is on Largo São Domingos, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Largo São Domingos 8, Lisboa 1100-201, Portugal. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, in the Schengen Area, and in the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, Portuguese colonies, and the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial às Vítimas do Massacre de 1506 / Memorial to the Victims of the 1506 Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Igreja de São Domingos / “Church of Saint Dominic” (within shouting distance of this marker); Pai Paulino / Father Paulino (within shouting distance of this marker); Arco do Bandeira (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Amalia Rodrigues (about 240 meters away); Coliseu (about 240 meters away);
A Ginjinha Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2024
2. A Ginjinha Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here just to the left of the entrance.
Fernando Pessoa (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Luís de Camões (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lisboa.
 
Also see . . .
1. Ginjinha (Atlas Obscura).
Excerpt: Most of Lisbon’s ginjinha bars are hole-in-the-wall establishments, nestled beside larger shops or cafes. In these tiny taverns, guests (sometimes no more than three or four) squeeze inside to order their coveted scarlet-red shots of sour cherry liqueur.

While Portugal is most famous for its port and sherry, ginjinha (also known simply as ginja) is a tart, lesser-known gem. Made by soaking local cherries in brandy, the drink is smooth and warming. Many city dwellers prefer to sip theirs as an aperitif or digestif.

There are many ginjinha bars dotted throughout Lisbon...
(Submitted on April 20, 2024.) 

2. There's nothing like Ginjinha (YouTube, 2:00). Two minute newsclip, explaining Ginjinha (Submitted on April 20, 2024.) 
 
A Ginjinha advertising poster, just outside the shop image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2024
3. A Ginjinha advertising poster, just outside the shop
Note the verbiage below the two friends is in rhyme, the gist of which is whether one should have one shot or six per day to feel healthy.
Ginjinha bottles in the shop image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2024
4. Ginjinha bottles in the shop
Ginjinha, inside the shop image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2024
5. Ginjinha, inside the shop
For just a few coins…
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 20, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
m=245168

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Jul. 21, 2026