Vila Viçosa II

The sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) originated in Asia, more precisely in southern China and were brought by the Portuguese in the sec.XVI who also took them to Brazil, Africa, etc. wherever they went with his ships.
(The Spaniards also have oranges) but they are bitter and are used mainly for the celebrated British orange candy.
Portuguese oranges, because of their sweetness, are well known. The mercies of support to the needy were created from the end of sec.XV until sec.XVII and were linked to Military and Religious Orders and Brotherhoods of masters or to simple individuals such as rich merchants, etc., but also due to the devotion of Kings and Queens and other people of the Nobility and high Clergy. Thus the production of all the street orange trees was forbidden to be touched because their end was only allowed and set to those Institutions.