José Saramago was to Portugal what Gabriel Garcia Marquez was to Colombia – the icon of magic realism. Although he is now one of the most famous Portuguese writers to leave their mark on the history of Portuguese literature, Saramago spent most of his life not writing. It wasn’t until his late 50s that he decided he finally had something valuable to say.

Read on if you want to learn more about José Saramago, who was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature for his “parables sustained by imagination, compassion and irony [with which he] continually enables us once again to apprehend an elusory reality.”

1. José Saramago Was Born into a Poor Family in Azinhaga

José de Sousa Saramago was born on November 16, 1922, in the small village of Azinhaga, Portugal. An interesting fact about Saramago’s name is that it wasn’t originally intended to be his surname. “Saramago” is the Portuguese word for wild radish and it was his father’s nickname. When registering José’s birth, the village clerk accidentally added this nickname to his official name.

His parents were José de Sousa and Maria da Piedade, and the family was very poor, which is why they decided to move to Lisbon two years after Saramago’s birth.

Once in Lisbon, Saramago’s father was hired as a policeman, and things started to improve financially. This change was likely motivated by his father’s experiences in World War I, where he had served as an artillery soldier in France and had been exposed to different environments.

However, shortly after their arrival, Saramago’s older brother, Francisco, passed away. The family was devastated, and even though they were in a better place financially, they never had a “real economical breakthrough,” as Saramago puts it. It wasn’t until Saramago turned 14 that they had their own small house – until then, they lived with other families.

Adolescence

Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Saramago spent many prolonged periods in Azinhaga with his maternal grandparents, Jerónimo Melrinho and Josefa Caixinha – these summers were probably filled with joy and innocence, as the future author was shielded, even for a bit, from the economic hardships.

These experiences also had a significant impact on his worldview and later writings. His future wife, Pilar del Rio, would later confirm that the time spent in the Portuguese countryside, “passively internalizing the voice of the people who lived there,” played an essential role in the formation of his unique writing style.

Although Saramago was a good student, his parents couldn’t afford to keep him in grammar school. At age 12, he was moved to a technical school. This early exposure to both rural and urban life, as well as the economic struggles of his family, undoubtedly shaped Saramago’s perspective and influenced his later works.

2. Jose Saramago Didn’t Start His Career as a Writer

Jose Saramago grew up in a house with no books and likely had no access to books until he was a teenager.

Until the age of 12, Saramago studied at a high school, where he excelled at all subjects, receiving the highest grades and even being appointed treasurer of the academic association. However, this didn’t last too long because his family had no money to pay for his school, so he was transferred to a vocational school, where he studied for five years to become a mechanical locksmith.

It turns out this was the best decision Saramago’s parents could make. Why so? Because that vocational school had a subject that likely served as the foundation of his future literary success: Literature. Although he worshiped this subject, Saramago couldn’t change his fate; he had to work for two years as a mechanical locksmith after graduating. But he never forgot about the books – he spent most of his free time at a public library in Lisbon, where he devoured thousands of written pages, thus refining his literary taste.

A Variety of Jobs and the First Published Book

It wasn’t until much later in life that Saramago actually turned to literature. After working as a mechanical locksmith, he was hired as an administrative employee at a Social Security organization, as an editor and translator at a publishing company called Estúdios Cor (getting closer and closer!), and, lastly, as a journalist.

In the meantime, however, Saramago published his first book – The Widow, which ended up being titled Terra do Pecado. Although he continued writing, Saramago didn’t publish anything else until 1966. Nonetheless, he didn’t stir away from the literary universe altogether. He translated works written by Jean Cassou, Maupassant, Tolstoy, Henri Focillon, Baudelaire, and many others.

In the 1970s, Saramago’s career in journalism advanced significantly. He became a literary critic and, in 1971, took up editorial duties at Diário de Lisboa. His role as deputy director of Diário de Notícias in April 1975 marked a high point in his journalistic career. However, this position ended abruptly in November 1975 due to political events. It was then that Saramago turned to writing as a full-time occupation.

3. Saramago Didn’t Achieve Recognition Until He Was in His 60s

As mentioned above, José Saramago’s journey to literary recognition and worldwide fame occurred late in life. Why so? Probably because he wasn’t really interested in being a full-time writer or sharing anything with the world. In fact, he stated that “it was starting to become clear to me that I didn’t have to say anything worthwhile.” So, he never rushed. Only in 1976 did Saramago feel he could put his writing skills to the test once again.

This is why Jose Saramago achieved literary recognition only when he turned sixty, with the publication of his fourth novel, Memorial do Convento aka Baltasar and Blimunda.

Following Baltasar and Blimunda, Saramago’s literary career gained momentum:

• He won the Portuguese PEN Club Award for “Baltasar and Blimunda.”
• His subsequent novels – The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis and The History of the Siege of Lisbon – were also a success. For The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, he received the British Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.
• In 1995, Saramago was awarded the Camões Prize, the most important prize awarded to literature written in the Portuguese language.
• His international reputation continued to grow, and in 1998, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, which solidified his status as a world-renowned author.

Later in life, Saramago confirmed that it wasn’t always easy to write:

When I have something to say, I have to create the conditions for writing it, and with the life I am leading, that’s not always easy. […] But even with all the traveling as a result of the prize in 1998, I do manage to write, although things might take me a little longer. I only write at home. I can’t write in hotels, or at a friend’s house – totally impossible! […] But when a work is outlined, when I have the idea, it becomes an obsession.

4. Jose Saramago’s Last Partner Translated His Books into Spanish

José Saramago had three romantic partners throughout his life. He married Ilda Reis in 1944 with whom he had a daughter, Violante. They divorced in 1970.

Two years before that, he had started dating Isabel da Nobrega, who became Saramago’s literary mentor – she was, after all, a writer, translator, and radio broadcaster. Their relationship lasted until 1986, when he met Pilar del Rio, a Spanish journalist, who would stay with Saramago for the rest of his life. They got married in 1988.

In 1993, Saramago and Pilar del Río settled in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, where they lived until Saramago’s death. This move was prompted by a controversy surrounding Saramago’s novel The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, which the Portuguese government had blocked from competing for a European literary prize.

Saramago’s relationship with Pilar del Rio was the most significant and enduring, possibly because it wasn’t only personal but also professional, as Pilar del Río played a crucial role in Saramago’s literary career. 

Pilar del Río became the primary translator of Saramago’s works into Spanish, contributing significantly to his international recognition. Today, she is also the president of the José Saramago Foundation in Lisbon. In 2022, Pilar del Río published La Intuición de la Isla, a collection of “memories” from the time they spent together on the island of Lanzarote.

5. Saramago’s Writing Style Is Truly Unique

If you’ve read any books by Saramago, you already know what we’re talking about. If you haven’t, we’re here to prepare you for your first Saramago read – we promise, these details are definitely worth your time; otherwise, you risk throwing the book away after reading the first pages. Why? Because Saramago writes in long sentences with almost no full stops (relying only on commas), no quotation marks, and incredibly extensive paragraphs.

It takes a lot of patience to understand his writing and eventually like it, especially if you’re not reading his books in your native language (we do recommend starting with a book translated into your native language, this makes the introduction smoother; then, you can try reading Saramago in Portuguese or other languages).

Here are some other key aspects of his style that may help you understand the plot and feel more comfortable with Saramago’s style:

• Saramago capitalizes the first letter for different speakers.
• In some works, like Blindness, Saramago doesn’t use proper nouns; instead, he names characters using unique characteristics (e.g. The doctor’s wife, the dog of tears, the girl with the dark glasses, and others).
• Saramago often blends narration and dialogue.
• Many books signed by Saramago blur the line between reality and fiction, which is why his works are often labeled as magic realism.

It is believed that Saramago’s unique style and intricate plots have the purpose of challenging readers to engage more deeply with the text, of creating a sense of confusion and disorientation within the book (as in the case of Blindness or Death with Interruptions, for example), or maybe he just liked his pages clean, without the unnecessary full stops.

Saramago likely never intended his works to turn out the way they did – meaning that he never began a book with a detailed outline. “To predetermine a story too much is to oblige it to exist before it comes into existence.” He only did a final revision, editing errors, and repetitions – that’s it. As he stated, “A book takes root and grows with its own logic.”

6. Saramago Was a Communist, Atheist, and Pessimist

José Saramago was a lifelong member of the Portuguese Communist Party, having joined in 1969. His commitment to communist ideals influenced both his writing and public persona. He actually defined himself as a “libertarian communist” in his later years. Additionally, he ran as a candidate for the Democratic Unity Coalition in several European Parliament elections. His political engagement and critiques of capitalist systems prompted the audience to compare him with George Orwell, whom Saramago cited occasionally.

Saramago was also an outspoken atheist, which frequently sparked controversy. His novels, particularly The Gospel According to Jesus Christ and Cain, employed satire and biblical references to present religious figures, especially God, in a critical or comical light. This often put him at odds with the Catholic Church, which criticized him for the content of his works.

When the Vatican questioned his Nobel Prize win, Saramago wasn’t concerned: “The Vatican is easily scandalized, especially by people from outside. They should just focus on their prayers and leave people in peace. I respect those who believe, but I have no respect for the institution.”

Furthermore, Saramago often described himself as a “professional skeptic” and a pessimist. This trait was evident in both his public personal statements and literary works. Many of his novels portrayed dystopian scenarios or offered bleak views of human nature, as seen in Blindness and Death with Interruptions.

“You may disagree with such a pessimistic vision. […] But if there is a way for the world to be transformed for the better, it can only be done by pessimism; optimism will never change the world for the better.” – this is how Saramago explained his attitude, also pointing to his devotion to being a homo eticus, meaning a person with a solid moral structure who is concerned with the world and its future.

7. Saramago Listed His Deceased Brother As a Co-Author for All the Names

José Saramago named his deceased brother as the co-author of All the Names. As mentioned above, his brother died at the age of four of bronco-pneumonia, when José was only two years old. What prompted this decision of naming Francisco a co-author?

According to the author, he started working on All the Names with the purpose of writing an autobiography that would cover the first 14 years of his life. The thing is – he needed to learn more about his brother because he wasn’t sure when exactly he had died.

So he looked for his birth certificate, which had no date of death written on it – “what I received went against everything I had known: it showed that my brother was alive.” Determined to learn what really had happened, he requested the death certificate from the hospital where his brother had allegedly died. Another mystery: he was never admitted to that hospital. What next?

He went through eight cemeteries in Lisbon, looking for his brother’s tomb, and researched Lisbon’s City Hall archives. He eventually discovered that his brother had died on the 22nd of December 1924. According to official records, he was still alive, going well into his 80th year (at the time of Saramago’s research). Likely, Saramago never addressed this issue, leaving his brother alive and well somewhere in the universe.

This is what inspired Saramago to write All the Names, so he decided that his brother was undoubtedly a co-author.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Jose Saramago Famous For?

Jose Saramago is famous for his unique writing style, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, as well as his social and political commentaries.

What Style Did Jose Saramago Write?

Jose Saramago is often regarded as one of the most prominent magic realism authors. He used an experimental writing style and usually mixed fantastical/magical elements in realistic settings.

What Should I Read from Saramago?

If you’ve never read anything written by Jose Saramago, you can start with The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, Baltasar and Blimunda, or Death with Interruptions.

When Was Blindness by Jose Saramago Written?

It is unknown when exactly Jose Saramago worked on Blindness, but the book was published in 1995.

When Was Cain by Jose Saramago Published?

Cain was the last book Jose Saramago wrote, and it was published in 2009. 

Who Were the Knights Templar?

The Knights Templar, officially known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was a Catholic military order founded in 1119 AD. Originally established to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades, the order quickly grew in power, wealth, and influence. The Templars were known for their distinctive white habits adorned with a red cross, their fighting prowess, and their role as one of medieval Europe’s first banking organizations.

The order combined the roles of monastic order, military force, and financial institutions. This unique combination allowed them to amass significant wealth and power across Europe and the Middle East by the early 14th century. This aroused suspicion and envy among European rulers. King Philip IV of France, heavily indebted to the Templars, saw an opportunity to solve his financial problems by accusing them of heresy and other crimes. In 1307, he ordered the arrest of Templar leaders in France, which led to widespread persecution, forced confessions, and the seizure of their assets.

Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V reluctantly ordered investigations into the Templars and, in 1312, officially disbanded the order at the Council of Vienne. Although the charges of heresy were never conclusively proven, the scandal and damage to the Church’s reputation were used to justify the dissolution. The Templars’ wealth was largely transferred to the Knights Hospitaller. Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master, was burned at the stake in 1314 after retracting his confession, marking a dramatic and tragic end to the order’s history.

The Knights Templar in Portugal

The Knights Templar played a crucial role in the history of Portugal, particularly during the country’s formative years. They arrived in Portugal around 1128, during the reign of Queen Teresa. The order’s military expertise was invaluable in the Reconquista – the centuries-long process of reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule.

The Knights Templar may have been disbanded elsewhere by 1312 but not in Portugal, as the reigning King Dinis did not believe the accusations made against the Order by King Philip IV. King Dinis of Portugal convinced Pope Clement V to allow him to form a new Order known as the Order of Christ, which essentially offered the former Knights Templar protection under a new name. King Dinis transferred the Knights Templar holdings in Portugal to the Order of Christ and moved the Knights Templar headquarters from Tomar to the fortress at Castro Marim close to the Spanish border. He also welcomed many Templar refugees to Portugal, who brought astronomical, nautical, and cartographic knowledge.

The new Order of Christ dedicated itself to wars against Muslim states in Africa and the re-conquest of Iberia from the Muslim people. One hundred years after setting up the Order at Castro Marim, one of the most famous men in Portuguese history, Prince Henry the Navigator, moved the headquarters back to Tomar. He intended to bring the knowledge passed down from the Jews and Arabs of mathematics, trigonometry, astronomy, and numbers all together to try and calculate the position of a ship at sea. The Knights Templar Castle in Tomar became the center of these discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries, which would help Portugal support and finance maritime expeditions, discover new sea routes to the Orient, and expand the Portuguese empire. Prince Henry the Navigator led the Order of Christ for 20 years and King Manuel I of Portugal was a Grand Master.

Over the centuries, the Order of Christ evolved from a religious-military organization into more of a secular honorary order, and it still exists today as a prestigious order of merit in Portugal.

Secrets and Rituals of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were surrounded by mystery and speculation, much of which persists to this day. While many claimed “secrets” are likely exaggerations or later inventions, some aspects of Templar life and practice were indeed shrouded in secrecy:

1. Initiation Rituals – New members underwent secret initiation ceremonies, the details of which were closely guarded.
2. The Baphomet – A mysterious idol that the Templars were accused of worshipping, though no evidence of such worship has ever been found.
3. Banking Practices – The Templars developed advanced financial techniques, including an early form of banking, which they kept secret to maintain their advantage.
4. Military Tactics – Their fighting techniques and strategies were closely guarded secrets that contributed to their battlefield success.
5. Alleged Holy Relics – Some believe the Templars possessed powerful religious artifacts, such as the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant, though no concrete evidence supports these claims.

The Knights Templars’ Lasting Influence in Portugal

Even centuries after their official dissolution, the Knights Templar have left an indelible mark on Portugal, which is evident in the nation’s architectural, cultural, and symbolic heritage. Templar castles, churches, and fortifications, particularly in Central Portugal, are prominent features of the Portuguese landscape. Among these, the Convent of Christ in Tomar stands as one of the country’s most significant historical sites and showcases the enduring legacy of the Templars in Portuguese architecture.

The influence of the Templars also extended to Portugal’s Age of Discovery, with their successor, the Order of Christ. The order’s distinctive cross famously adorned the sails of Portuguese caravels, symbolizing the Templar spirit in the nation’s expansion across the seas. Culturally, the Templars have deeply influenced Portuguese folklore, literature, and popular culture, with numerous local legends and traditions tracing their origins to the order. Their impact is also felt in some esoteric and masonic traditions in Portugal, which claim, albeit controversially, a connection to the Templars.

Key Templar Sites and Events in Portugal

1. Conquest of Santarém (1147)

The conquest of Santarém was a pivotal moment in the Reconquista and a significant victory for the Knights Templar in Portugal. Led by their Grand Master Gualdim Pais, the Templars played a crucial role in supporting King Afonso Henriques in this strategic battle. Santarém, with its commanding position over the Tagus River, was a key Moorish stronghold. The city’s capture not only expanded Christian territory but also demonstrated the Templars’ military prowess and their importance to the Portuguese monarchy. This victory helped cement the Templars’ position in Portugal and led to them being granted significant lands and privileges in the newly conquered territories.

2. Castle of Tomar (1160)

The Castle of Tomar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains the most impressive and well-preserved Templar stronghold in Portugal. Construction began in 1160 under the direction of Gualdim Pais, who chose its strategic location atop a hill overlooking the Nabão River. The castle’s most distinctive feature is the 16-sided Charola (rotunda), believed to be modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This unique architectural element served as the knights’ private oratory and is adorned with intricate frescoes and gilded decorations. The castle complex expanded over centuries, with each addition reflecting different architectural styles from Romanesque to Manueline. Today, it offers visitors a fascinating journey through Portuguese history and Templar legacy.

3. Convent of Christ

After Pope Clement V dissolved the Knights Templar in 1312, King Dinis of Portugal shrewdly created the Order of Christ in 1319. This new order inherited the Templars’ assets in Portugal, which effectively ensured the continuation of their mission and wealth under a new name. The Convent of Christ in Tomar, formerly the Templar headquarters, became the new order’s seat of power. Over the centuries, the complex was expanded and embellished, most notably during the Manueline period in the early 16th century. The famous Manueline Window, an exquisite example of this ornate style, was added during this time. The Convent of Christ played a significant role in Portugal’s Age of Discovery, and Henry the Navigator serving as its Grand Master. Today, it demonstrates an enduring influence of the Templars in Portuguese history and architecture.

4. Almourol Castle

Perched on a small granite island in the middle of the Tagus River, Almourol Castle is perhaps the most picturesque and romantic of all Templar castles in Portugal. Built in the 12th century on the site of an older fortification, it served as a key defensive position along the Tagus. The castle’s isolated location and well-preserved state make it one of the most emblematic symbols of the Knights Templar in Portugal. Its sturdy walls, central keep, and dramatic setting have inspired numerous legends and stories over the centuries. Despite its small size, Almourol Castle played a crucial role in the Templars’ mission to secure the newly reconquered territories and protect important trade routes. Today, visitors can access the island by boat, allowing them to explore this fairy-tale-like fortress and imagine life as a medieval Templar knight.

5. Castle of Monsanto

The Castle of Monsanto, while less well-known than some other Templar sites, is a remarkable example of medieval military architecture. What sets Monsanto apart is its ingenious integration with the natural landscape. Built atop a steep hill, the castle and the surrounding village seem to grow out of the enormous granite boulders that dot the hillside. The Templars took control of Monsanto in the 12th century. They reinforced and expanded the existing fortifications. The castle’s unique construction, with walls and towers built between and sometimes incorporating the massive rocks, made it an almost impregnable fortress. Today, Monsanto is known as “the most Portuguese village in Portugal,” and its castle offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding countryside and a glimpse into the Templars’ building techniques.

6. Quinta da Regaleira

Located in Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira is a early 20th-century estate that, while not built during the Templar era, is deeply connected to Templar symbolism and mythology. Designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini for António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy Portuguese entomologist and lover of the esoteric, the estate is a treasure trove of occult symbolism, much of it linked to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. The property’s most famous feature is the Initiation Well, a 27-meter-deep inverted tower with a spiral staircase. This well is believed to have been used for Tarot initiation rites, and its design drew from Templar and Masonic traditions. The extensive gardens are filled with grottoes, fountains, and enigmatic structures that reference alchemical and Rosicrucian symbols. While not a true Templar site, Quinta da Regaleira offers visitors a unique glimpse into the enduring fascination with Templar mysteries and their integration into later esoteric traditions in Portugal.

7. Torre de Belém

The Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) in Lisbon, while built after the official dissolution of the Knights Templar, bears a strong connection to their legacy through the Order of Christ. Constructed between 1514 and 1520 during the reign of King Manuel I, the tower is one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture, a style that often incorporated Templar and maritime symbols. The tower’s exterior is adorned with the distinctive cross of the Order of Christ, the successor to the Templars in Portugal, reflecting the order’s crucial role in Portugal’s Age of Discovery. This cross was also emblazoned on the sails of Portuguese ships during their global explorations. The tower served both as a fortress guarding Lisbon’s harbor and as a ceremonial gateway to the city. Its intricate stonework includes nautical themes, religious symbols, and exotic motifs brought back by Portuguese explorers. Today, the Torre de Belém stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It symbolizes the golden age of Portuguese exploration and the enduring influence of the Templar legacy in shaping Portugal’s identity and global ambitions.

8. Biester Palace in Sintra

Biester Palace is another fascinating site in Sintra that, while not directly Templar, is steeped in symbolism associated with the Knights Templar and other esoteric traditions. Built in the late 19th century for Frederico Biester, a wealthy merchant, the chalet was designed by the Portuguese architect José Luís Monteiro in the Romantic style. The building’s architecture and decorative elements incorporate various symbolic references, including some related to the Templars and Freemasonry. Of particular interest is the chalet’s tower, which resembles a small castle keep and adds to the building’s mystical atmosphere. The interior of Biester Palace is adorned with intricate wood carvings, stained glass windows, and other decorative elements that often incorporate esoteric symbols. While less well-known than some of Sintra’s other landmarks, Biester Palace gained renewed attention after being featured in the film “The Ninth Gate” (1999), which deals with themes of occultism and rare books. This connection has further cemented its place in the popular imagination as a site of mystery and hidden knowledge, echoing the enduring fascination with Templar lore in Portugal. In the basement of Biester Palace, you can see a small initiation chamber with Knights Templar lore. This is not surprising as its next-door neighbor is Quinta da Regaleira.

Today, the Knights Templar legacy is preserved in the symbolism found throughout Portugal, with Templar crosses and other emblems visible in various coats of arms, flags, and decorative elements across the country. These enduring symbols and stories ensure that the Knights Templar remain an indelible part of Portugal’s historical and cultural identity.

Knights Templar Tours

• Tomar&Templars, Private Walking Tour, by Local Guide
• Private Tour Almourol-Tomar, Templars
• Sintra’s Private Walking Tour: Regaleira and Biester Palace
• Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour from Lisbon