I arrived at the Viana do Castelo Cultural Centre around 2 pm and found practically no queue. Just inside the entrance I spotted the EuroBrickMarket stand and was handed a discount voucher for Universo Encantado. Off to the right was Joanyshop, its shelves stacked with tempting sets.

I descended to the exhibition floor and was immediately drawn to André Pinto’s impressive Portuguese Navy ships—hulls, decks, LED lighting, every detail flawless. In the Technic area, an entire row of motor-powered sets had robots performing mechanical choreographies, their whirring motors creating a world of their own.

Straight ahead, a gigantic city MOC unfolded with avenues, trains and meticulously crafted skyscrapers. Beside it, Ana Martins’s Botanic XXL installation stole the spotlight: nearly one-metre-tall floral panels swaying gently. A few steps on, an almost life-size Captain Rex commanded attention, followed by detailed Mars colony dioramas and some massive Star Wars sets rarely seen in person.

At the centre of the hall, a large table invited visitors of all ages to contribute to a huge collaborative mosaic. On the opposite side, I discovered Pedro Nascimento’s intricate buildings—an astonishing density of bricks best appreciated up close. A bit further on, a bustling zoo layout showed how to squeeze half a savannah into a tight space, with vegetation and animals in every corner.

At the second-to-last table, Hugo Neves’s team had recreated a Formula 1 pit lane. Finally, Teresa Gomes’s Procissão ao Mar displayed several boats side by side with photos of their real-life counterparts—the likeness was so striking it felt surreal.

I left with my phone full of photos, fresh ideas for MOCs, and the satisfying reminder that, even after years of building with LEGO, there are always creations capable of surprising you.