For over three centuries, Castelo Branco has been famous for its embroidered bedspreads. The bedspreads from Castelo Branco, of oriental inspiration, have been known at least since the middle of the 16th century. 

The embroidery of Castelo Branco is rich in color, design, and symbolism. This traditional Portuguese embroidery is worked on a linen ground, traditionally with silk threads.
These bedspreads are made of linen and embroidered in silk thread, and their decorative elements carry a unique symbolism. In this way, the pitcher represents the hearth and the tree of life; the newlywed are represented by a couple of birds together or by the drawing of a symbolic man and woman; the chain-stitch stands for the unbreakable chain of matrimony; carnations represent the Man and roses the Woman; lilies stand for Virtue and hearts for Love; tendrils represent Friendship, ivy deep affection; jasmine means the virtue of chastity; pomegranates and pines are the solidarity of the family; cockerels stand for the blessed offspring, and lizards are the amulet for a much desired happiness
The predominant filling technique used is Ponto Castelo Branco, or Ponto Frouxo - long satin stitches with a perpendicular thread couched over the satin stitching to secure it which is influenced by Italian embroidery. Among the other stitches used is satin stitch, stem stitch, long and short stitch shading, chain stitch, French knot, detached chain stitch, fern stitch, fly and feather stitch, shadow stitch, herringbone stitch, straight stitch, and various fillings the designs are somewhat reminiscent of Jacobean embroidery.
There is no limit to the range of colors although there are monochromatic examples where the design takes on greater prominence. In general terms, Castelo Branco Embroidery can be divided into two styles: the popular, with more obvious designs, and the erudite, more elaborate and complex and attributed to the upper, better educated classes. Some designs reflect influences brought back from the Orient on the Portuguese voyages of exploration. However, there are also references to daily life, the local fauna and flora or even just erudite artistic figures appropriate to the respective periods and taken from Renaissance and Baroque imagery.