FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES NORTHERN 4 Presentation 46 Esposende 82 Paços de Ferreira 117 Torre de Moncorvo 6 Map 48 Fafe 84 119 49 86 121 8 Alfândega da Fé 50 Freixo de Espada à Cinta 87 123 Valença 10 Alijó 51 Gondomar 89 Penedono 124 11 Amarante 53 Guimarães 91 Peso da Régua 125 Valpaços 11 55 Lamego 92 Ponte da Barca 127 Viana do Castelo 13 Arcos de Valdevez 57 93 129 Vieira do Minho 17 Armamar 60 Macedo de Cavaleiros 94 131 18 Arouca 61 Maia 96 Póvoa de Lanhoso 133 Vila Flor 22 Baião 63 97 Póvoa de Varzim 134 Vila Nova de Cerveira 23 Barcelos 65 99 Resende 136 Vila Nova de Famalicão 25 66 Melgaço 101 Ribeira de Pena 137 Vila Nova de Foz Côa 27 68 Mesão Frio 103 139 29 Bragança 68 Miranda do 105 142 32 70 Mirandela 106 Santa Marta Penaguião 142 33 Caminha 71 Mogadouro 108 144 Vila Verde 36 Carrazeda de Ansiães 73 Moimenta da Beira 109 São João da Madeira 146 Vimioso 38 Castelo de Paiva 74 Monção 110 São João da Pesqueira 147 Vinhais 40 Celorico de Basto 76 110 Sernancelhe 148 Vizela 41 Chaves 78 112 Tabuaço 41 Cinfães 79 Murça 114 Tarouca 152 Tourist Information 43 Espinho 80 Oliveira de Azeméis 115 Terras de Bouro

2 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 3 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Women decorate the altars, put their best quilts on the windows for the , receive family members from afar and prepare their best meals to make sure no mouth goes unfed during these days. Men wear their best suits, attend Mass, carry heavy wooden platforms, put on a firework display announcing the feast, A tourist destination and always choose the best wine to with a rich and accompany the good food. Here, varied offer, where traditions remain intact. The ancient traditions centuries-old festivals that shine to the rhythm of traditional folklore also remain alive and exhibit in the public squares tools and are revived handicrafts, closely linked to the people’s daily life and labour needs. Religiosity and the pagan celebration retain their splendour, year after year, Festivals and pilgrimages are a thanks to the spirit of its people that dances and fill your heart with the constant practice in the North of bring it all together in merriment, friendliness and human warmth with Portugal. A region with centuries of where there is no shortage of which the North will always welcome history, where ancient traditions marches and parades; singing groups you... remain alive and are revived in a and music bands; sporting events, Come along and do join us at the territory dotted with churches, contests and auctions. festivals! sanctuaries, convents, chapels and Worhsip as well as popular monasteries, places where people celebrations attract not only fervent come to fiercely worship throughout pilgrims seeking miracles and the year. fulfilling promises, but also tourists In the villages, towns and cities in the moved by the echo of traditions, North, customs and traditions never curious about the cultural and end. All the experiences are blended heritage sites in the North of with the rituals of the pilgrimages to Portugal, to where thousands flock. the , the patroness , or Visit our temples, learn about the with the June festivals in honour of antiquity of its origins, walk around the popular saints, a period in which the surrounding landscapes, marvel its inhabitants - working people of a at the colourful illuminations, share thousand trades - dedicate body and our joy, taste the homemade soul to their festivals and pilgrimages. delicacies, enjoy our traditional

4 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 5 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL 6 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 7 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL ALFÂNDEGA DA FÉ location: Rua da Igreja - Sambade FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA GPS: 41°24’47.47”N 6°58’27.41”W SENHORA DE FÁTIMA (OUR LADY OF FÁTIMA) last Sunday of May FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SANTO ANTÃO DA BARCA Cerejais village is located on a plateau 1st weekend of September overlooking the Sabor river, where an impressive landscape of scattered A festival held annually in honour of settlements can be seen in the Santo Antão da Barca, located in the horizon. parish of Parada, in Alfândega da Fé. Here, you will find the Sanctuary of This Sanctuary was relocated due to Cerejais, which attracts a large location: Largo S. Sebastião the construction of the Baixo Sabor number of believers throughout the GPS: 41°20’27.32”N 6°57’41.07”W dam. The site where the old sanctuary year and who come here to fulfil their was located will be submerged by the promises or just for religious devotion waters of the reservoir. on the last Sunday of May. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA The Chapel of Santo Antão, a building SENHORA DAS NEVES from the 18th century, was moved to location: Santuário (Sanctuary) do Imaculado (OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS) the new location through a heritage Coração de Maria, in Cerejais 3rd weekend of August preservation process, unique in the GPS: 41°17’41.73”N 6°55’25.41”W country. Built on top of a hill, on the site Sambade is the most populous village known as Rebentão, about a kilometre of the municipality. A beautiful village, away from its previous location, the FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF MÁRTIR proud of its church, built in the late future sanctuary replicates the same S. SEBASTIÃO 18th century in the middle of a relationship with the water and the (THE ST. SEBASTIAN) churchyard with leafy trees and same spatial orientation, although at a 2nd weekend of August pleasant stone benches that invite you higher altitude. The new sanctuary to rest and breathe the fresh mountain comprises the old chapel and buildings In August, in Alfândega da Fé, the air. built from scratch, such as an inn, a Martyr St. Sebastian Festival is The festival takes place on the third restaurant & bar, a museum and an celebrated, so as to demonstrate the Sunday of August (the main day) and administrative space. deep popular belief and the apotheosis lasts four days. of the sacred. In parallel, the profane It starts on Friday and ends on the location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Santo programme provides colour, music, joy following Monday. Antão da Barca (St. Anthony of Barca) and plenty of reasons for Although its origin is obscure, this GPS: 41°15’55.50”N 6°53’23.80”W entertainment to its inhabitants as festival is characterized by a strong well as to visiting tourists, who tradition and undoubtedly one of the contact experience, year after year, the folk largest festivals in the region, thus Casa da Cultura de Alfândega traditions, habits and customs. attracting a large number of pilgrims. tel.:+351 279 460 020

8 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 9 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL e-mail: [email protected] The large and heavy wooden platform PEGARINHOS FESTIVAL IN which offer a varied programme for City Council of Alfândega da Fé on which the patron is set is HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA three days. The festival’s highlights take tel.:+351 279 468 120 auctioned off between the group of DOS AFLITOS (OUR LADY OF THE place as usual on Friday, with a contest Tourism Office the “young” and the group of the “old”. AFFLICTED) of bumble bees at the São Gonçalo tel.:+351 279 462 739 The group with the highest bid will last weekend of August Square; on Saturday, with fireworks and have the privilege of carrying the on Sunday, with the Procession in wooden platform along the streets of It is a festival strongly dedicated to honour of São Gonçalo. ALIJÓ the village on the day of the Gala the village’s , Our Lady of VILAR DE MAÇADA FESTIVAL IN Procession dedicated to Our Lady of the Afflicted. The Gala Procession is location: Urban centre HONOUR OF SENHOR JESUS DA Pity. an authentic biblical recreation made GPS: 41°16’08”N 8°04’43”W CAPELINHA (THE JESUS OF The usually large proceeds from this with the dedication of its people, who CAPELINHA) auction go to the sanctuary. The take their momentary role as actors, contact 2nd weekend of July festival lasts for five days, with dressed in period clothing, very City Council of Amarante beautiful pyrotechnic shows and seriously, arousing the curiosity of tel.:+351 255 420 200 Vilar de Maçada festival takes place in musical entertainment. thousands of outsiders. e-mail: [email protected] July and is dedicated to the Lord At night, you can expect plenty of www.cm-amarante.pt Jesus of Capelinha. It is usually a location: Sanfins do Douro entertainment until the morning. lively festival, especially with regard GPS: N 41.277548 O -7.458858 to music, and therefore calls the location: Pegarinhos AMARES attention of many young people that GPS: N 41.279741 O -7.456626 EASTER - PROCESSION CROSSING attend it for pure joy. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SANTA THE HOMEM RIVER MARIA MAIOR (ST. MARY MAJOR) contact Monday after Easter location: Vilar de Maçada OF ALIJÓ City Council of Alijó GPS: N 41.268259 O -7.466583 from August 13 to 16 tel.:+351 259 957 107 This is one of the highest solemnities of e-mail: [email protected] Easter in the parish of , in Amares. It is a very important festivity for www.cm-alijo.pt The Crossing of the Homem river by a SANFINS DO DOURO FESTIVAL IN Alijó, dedicated to St. Mary Major, the procession makes this village very proud, HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA DA patron saint of this town. and attracts thousands to the banks of PIEDADE (OUR LADY OF PITY) It takes place in August and lasts for AMARANTE the river. The enthusiasm settles very 2nd weekend of August four days. It is packed with religious, FESTIVALS OF JUNE - FESTIVAL early in the morning: the procession has cultural and ethnographic activities OF SÃO GONÇALO to cross the river by boat, so that people Sanfins do Douro festival is very where entertainment lasts until the 1st weekend of June can kiss the cross at their homes. The famous and known for its strong wee hours of the morning. stewards with the cross, the pastor and religious nature, where Our Lady of Every year, São Gonçalo attracts the musical band travel by boat and Pity is strongly worshipped. Such location: Alijó thousands of pilgrims to the city for there also is also another boat to carry worship can also be seen throughout GPS: N 41.266710 O -7.445812 the traditional Festivals of June, in the pyrotechnist. the year in the sanctuary. At the honour of the patron saint. festival, Our Lady of Pity is carried in The religious and the profane go location: Rua S. Bento das Pedras procession to the Main Church. “hand in hand” at these festivals, GPS: N 41.658217 O -8.402638

10 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 11 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL PILGRIMAGE TO NOSSA SENHORA FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SANTO contact DA ABADIA (OUR LADY OF THE ANTÓNIO (ST. ANTHONY) City Council of Amares ABBEY) June 13 tel.:+351 253 993 450 last Sunday of May e-mail: [email protected] The festival in honour of St. Anthony www.cm-amares.pt The Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of takes place over several days, with Nossa Senhora da Abadia is a tradition main emphasis on the day of St. that has been upheld since 1978. Since Anthony, June 13. Religious events, ARCOS DE VALDEVEZ then, on the last Sunday of May, popular parades, folklore, popular FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA hundreds of faithful climb the hill music, traditional Portuguese musical DO CASTELO (OUR LADY OF THE towards the sanctuary. Departing from band and sporting activities, among CASTLE) Largo de Bouro, this pilgrimage of the others, are usually the main proposals 40 days after Easter Archpriesthood of Amares, counts with of the programme. the presence of a few parishes from Occupying a headland to the west of Terras de Bouro and Vieira do Minho. location: Praça do Comércio - Ferreiros the town, which was the original Along the way, you can admire a GPS: N 41.627785 O -8.366015 location of a mediaeval castle, the breathtaking landscape, green as far Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Castelo as the eye can see. Minutes before houses one of the most ancient and arriving at the sanctuary, the pilgrims FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA important cults of the municipality, get to the first of eight chapels of the DA ABADIA (OUR LADY OF THE which moves hundreds of people. Way of the Cross, consecrated to Our ABBEY) During these days, visitors can also go Lady. Each one represents the steps of August 15 to Arcos de Valdevez to admire the the life of Christ and the Virgin. floral rugs that decorate the main The Sanctuary of the Abbey, whose This festival attracts thousands of streets in town. history is closely linked to the history people to the Sanctuary of Nossa The festival is currently held in May or of the Monastery of Santa Maria do Senhora da Abadia. Due to its June, on Ascension Sunday, that is, 40 Bouro, is surrounded by “barracks”, landscape, devotees and visitors, in days after Easter. The main day of the arcade buildings that gave shelter to addition to the religious and profane Festival is Sunday, when the image of the pilgrims who spent days and nights part of the festival, can enjoy a Our Lady returns to the chapel, there. Everything about this sanctuary paradisiacal environment, where only located in Monte do Castelo. Days is an invitation to reflect and take a the whisper of water and the chirping before it had left this chapel and taken rest. The whisper of the waters coming of the small birds break the silence to the Church of Vila Fonche and from from the stream, the fountains and the that characterizes this space. there to the Main Church. After soothing landscape, are just an returning, it will stay in the chapel for example of the attractions of the area. location: Nossa Senhora da Abadia - Santa yet another year. Maria de Bouro location: Nossa Senhora da Abadia - Santa GPS: N 41.403 149 O -8.152848 location: Monte do Castelo - Church of Vila Maria de Bouro Fonche and Main Church of Arcos de Valdevez GPS: N 41.403149 O -8.152848 GPS: 41°50’51”N 8°26’59”W

12 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 13 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA of Nossa Senhora da Peneda takes DA LAPA (OUR LADY OF LAPA) place from 1 to 8 September. From from August 6 to 10 August 31 to September 8, after 5 pm, a is sung, while going through In 1758, in Arcos de Valdevez, the cult all the chapels of the staircase of the of Our Lady of Lapa was initiated, sanctuary. On September 6, the people which triggered the construction of a sing and dance to the sound of religious temple in Her honour, concertinas all night, until 7 am. It is completed in 1767; the first public considered one of the most popular demonstrations of celebration festivals in Portugal, with the happened during this period and presence of Galician and Portuguese continued until the mid-20th century. pilgrims. Recovered in 2009, the festival was The festival is based on a natural and integrated in the municipality’s architectural space of universal celebrations, held on the second beauty, with a magnificent large rocky weekend of August, returning to the outcrop, a waterfall and astonishing people of Arcos one of its most scenic natural surroundings. The symbolic and important religious beautiful temple, dating from the festivities. 18th-19th centuries, and its staircase with twenty thematic chapels, form location: Church of Lapa (Igreja da Lapa) e as a whole an unparalleled feature, Historical Area of Arcos de Valdevez within the privileged space of the only GPS: 41°50’45.20”N 8°25’08.79”W Portuguese National Park: the Peneda- Gerês Park. contact Parish of Vila Arcos de Valdevez location: Gavieira - Peneda tel.:+351 258 522 311 GPS: 41°58’25”N 8°13’24”W e-mail: [email protected] contact www.cmav.pt Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Peneda tel.:+351 251 460 040

FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DA PENEDA (OUR LADY OF FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA PENEDA) DA PORTA from 1 to 8 September from 20 to 21 September

In ancient times, the pilgrimage was In the primitive façade of the Church held in August. Nowadays, the Festival of Mercy, there once was a niche with

14 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 15 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL the image in stone of Our Lady of ARMAMAR parish of Armamar, people travelled in Mercy, which the people called Nossa FESTIVAL OF SÃO GREGÓRIO procession to the sanctuary. Senhora da Porta. The construction (ST. GREGORY) Essentially religious, it has lost its works performed in 1733 allowed the March 12 profane traditions. However, the construction of an altar on the porch, festival maintains ancient rituals. so it was possible to celebrate mass. This festival is celebrated on March People take the image from the Every year, at the beginning of 12, in Santa Cruz, next to the chapel of sanctuary and then carry it in September, a novena was prayed in the saint. In ancient times, the saint procession by the three parishes (S. honour of Our Lady of Porta, was revered in a special way by the Martinho, Gogim and Lumiares) and consecrating the day 7 in Her Honour, workers of the Douro farms, since return to the starting point. the day in which the church opened after this date they were entitled to the “oratory” dedicated to Her at night snacking, which were then removed on location: São Martinho das Chãs to celebrate mass. The devotion that the day of Nossa Senhora dos GPS: N 41.079987 O -7.660979 the population of the municipality had Remédios, on September 8. for this image was translated in the It also had a very busy fair, with huge amount of wax, clothes, cereals, handicrafts (tinware) and desserts FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA animals and pieces in gold offered as (the “falachas”) and where essential DAS DORES (OUR LADY OF PAIN) payment for promises. products and tools for agriculture AND SANTIAGO FAIR However, in the late 19th century, the were sold. The spinning tops used by May 31 Holy House of Misericórdia was forced kids to have fun and engage in playful to stop having the feast due to banter were also sold there. The festival was originally held on the budgetary restrictions. Currently, the festival is celebrated on first Sunday of September, in 1860. In 2010, the fraternity took over the August 20 (although it does not The fair was made famous by market tradition by arranging, on the third happen every year). The fair still takes products related to agriculture and weekend of September, a popular place on March 12, but its importance cattle raising. festival that attempts to recreate the has since then decreased. In 1938, the City Council, then cheerful and spontaneous atmosphere presided by Father Fausto Guedes, of the ancient festivals of the Alto location: Santa Cruz was forced to change the day of the Minho. GPS: N 41.062498 O -7.693304 fair to Saturday, yielding to the pressure from the clergy that did not location: Largo da Igreja da Misericórdia de approve of the fair on Sunday. The Arcos de Valdevez FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA change gave rise to large protests by GPS: 41°50’42”N 8°25’8”W DA PIEDADE (OUR LADY OF PITY) the people of the parish and the entire May 31 Municipality. contact The Portuguese Legion even had to Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Arcos de This popular Festival in Honour of Our intervene to ensure public order. Valdevez Lady of Pity used to take place on the Everything was alright at the end. The tel.:+351 258 510 110 last Sunday of May. On Trinity Sunday, day of the fair was changed to e-mail: [email protected] at the parish of Tões, along with the Tuesday, but after a while it started to

16 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 17 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL lot of city people and its surroundings. It was customary to distribute a dinner at the end of the ceremony to the procession’s participants. The Franca Fair takes place on August 3 and marks the beginning of the festival.

location: Fontelo GPS: N 41.121395 O -7.745095

contact take place on Sundays, as still happens. City Council of Armamar The religious festival, for its part, lost tel.:+351 254 850 800 a lot of its splendour and nowadays it e-mail: [email protected] consists of simple liturgical www.cm-armamar.pt celebrations on the day of the saint, September 15. AROUCA location: Santiago PROCESSION OF THE FOGARÉUS GPS: N 41.076890 O -7.694408 Holy Wednesday

Recreating the last steps of Christ FESTIVAL OF SÃO DOMINGOS towards the Calvary, the traditional (ST. DOMINIC) Procession of the Fogaréus runs from August 3 to 5 through the streets of the village, to the sound of the Musical Band of Fontelo organizes one of the leading Arouca and illuminated by the and most popular festival of the candlelight of the faithful. municipality. It happens every year, on The procession stops at the Calvary, August 3, 4 and 5. where you can hear the prayers and The tradition dates back to the Middle see the wooden platforms that Ages. recreate the most significant Over the centuries, the festival won moments of the Passion of Christ, such importance that the City Council from its delivery to path taken with of Lamego was “obliged” to take part in the cross over His shoulder and it, along with the vicars of the finally, His Crucifixion. Cathedral, the clerics, the Franciscans A genuine manifestation of faith and from the Convent of St. Francis and a tradition.

18 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 19 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA Real Irmandade Rainha Santa Mafalda SENHORA DA MÓ tel.:+351 256 943 321 (OUR LADY OF MÓ) e-mail: [email protected] September 7

The chapel of Nossa Senhora da Mó FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA (Our Lady of Mó), with a privileged DA LAJE (OUR LADY OF LAJE) view over the Arouca Valley, stands on May 3 top of a mountain. The cult of Mary, under the title of Located on the plateau of Freita Nossa Senhora da Mó (Our Lady of Mountain, the Chapel of Nossa Mó), dates back to immemorial times. Senhora da Laje attracts many The first reference to the miracle that pilgrims, not only from the it is said saved a Moor of perishing municipality of Arouca, but mostly inside a wooden box, which had a inhabitants from the slopes of Freita grinding wheel in stone on top of it, Mountain. The devotion to this Lady dates from the early 2th century. dates back to the late 16th century, Since those ancient times, a festival is early 17th century, at a time when celebrated in honour of Nossa Senhora many of the chapels that we can see da Mó, always on September 7, at location: Rua do Calvário The image of Rainha Santa Mafalda, at the top of the hills were built, and night and with the traditional GPS: N 40.932392 O -8.247611 whose body is kept in a grave of ebony were once occupied by pre-Roman “bacalhoada”. On the 8th, the religious and silver, can be seen in the Church of settlements and mediaeval castles. ceremonies take place along with the the Monastery of Arouca and is still The 3rd of May, the day after the presence of a musical band, with FESTIVAL OF RAINHA SANTA present in the town’s coat of arms. festival in honour of Rainha Santa children launching kites and with time MAFALDA (OUR LADY QUEEN A long procession that takes place in Mafalda, 20 crosses, each of which devoted to socializing. In short, these MAFALDA) the streets embodies this faith, represents a parish of the Municipality, are days when the people of Arouca May 2 bringing thousands of people to go in a procession that travels along will easily reconnect, especially those Arouca. The ‘little angels’ and the the path of the stone Crosses, in a that have been away for a long time, in The story of Arouca cannot be beautiful wooden platforms, manifestation of faith that attracts a pleasant location. dissociated from the strong presence accompanied by the Band of Arouca’s pilgrims of Arouca, but also from the of Our Lady Queen Mafalda (Rainha music, parade through the streets, municipalities of São Pedro do Sul, location: Monte da Senhora da Mó Santa Mafalda). The 2nd of May is the which have windows adorned with Vale de Cambra and Sever do Vouga. GPS: N 40.932766 O -8.226276 most important date to Arouca noble quilts and from where many according to the Gregorian calendar. It faithful throw flowers to during the location: Merujal - Urrô contact is a municipal holiday, and on this day passage of the Blessed Sacrament. GPS: N 40.876833 O -8.303362 City Council of Arouca the example of the life and legacy of tel.:+351 256 940 220 Rainha Santa Mafalda, patroness of location: Terreiro de Santa Mafalda e-mail: [email protected] Arouca, is conjured. GPS: N 40.928541 O -8.246908 www.cm-arouca.pt

20 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 21 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL BAIÃO complemented by the activities of the Several knights (National Republican specimens of the Arouquesa breed, FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA amusement park and the tents where Guards or residents) open this bull-fighting spectacle, and the SENHORA DO MARTÍRIO (OUR one can buy toys, drinks, snacks and procession. The festivities are held Handicraft Fair, in addition to the LADY OF MARTYRDOM) desserts. during the weekend, starting with religious ceremonies on August 24. 40 days after Easter At midnight, there are fireworks. On fireworks at midnight on Friday and The drum groups from the Sunday, religious ceremonies are held Saturday. There is no shortage of municipality are in charge of the The festival begins on the evening of such as the procession in the evening, various musical ensembles. festival’s animation, roaming across 15 with a Candlelight Procession, which starts at the Chapel of Nossa The traditional games, such as the sack the town’s main streets. The carriage followed by the traditional “night out”, Senhora de ao Pé da Cruz, heads race, the race of clay pots and the cod rides and a set of musical shows with musical entertainment, towards the Main Church of Ancede game, which can only be “redeemed” if performed by musicians of Baião are fireworks, activities at the amusement and returns to the starting point. The you can climb a greasy pine. also another festival’s highlight, along park and where there is no shortage of animation remains throughout the with a guest artist of national the traditional sweets. entire event. location: Rua Escola 185 - Santa Marinha do importance. The animation programme remains Zêzere over the weekend, highlighting the location: Rua Nossa Senhora de ao Pé Da Cruz GPS: N 41.130471 O -8.057923 location: Rua Engenheiro Adelino Amaro da Solemn Mass at 11:00 a.m and the - Ancede Costa - Campelo procession at 5:30 pm, on May 17. GPS: N 41.129979 O -8.014285 contact GPS: N 41.16499 O -8.027268 Parish Council of Santa Marinha do Zêzere location: Rua Nossa Senhora do Martírio - contact tel.:+351 254 882 346 contact Santa Cruz do Douro Parish of Ancede and Ribadouro e-mail: [email protected] City Council of Baião GPS: N 41.106503 O -8.007617 tel.:+351 255 551 837 www.cm-baiao.pt tel.:+351 255 540 500 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] contact www.cm-baiao.pt www.cm-baiao.pt Parish of Santa Cruz do Douro and São Tomé ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S FESTIVAL de Covelas (FESTA DE SÃO BARTOLOMEU) tel.:+351 254 882 525 FESTIVAL OF SANTA MARINHA August 24 BARCELOS e-mail: [email protected] July 18 ENDOENÇAS www.santacruzdodouro..pt The municipal festival in honour of St. Holy Friday www.cm-baiao.pt The highlight of the Festival of Santa Bartholomew marks the highlight of Marinha is the Patroness Saint’s day the summer animation at the The celebration of the Endoenças is a (Saturday) with the performance of Municipality of Baião, highlighting the religious manifestation that links the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA the Musical Band of Casa do Povo de procession in honour of St. Santa Casa da Misericórdia of DE AO PÉ DA CRUZ Santa Marinha, which is followed by Bartholomew, which is held annually Barcelos to the Lent celebrations. It is 2nd Sunday of July the largest procession that takes on August 24, a municipal holiday. a procession of great symbolism and place in the municipality of Baião, The programme of the festival is religious intensity, which attracts The festival in honour of Nossa formed by more than 10 wooden always varied and based in the thousands of people from all over the Senhora de ao Pé da Cruz has one of platforms composed by multiple traditions of the municipality of Baião, northern region to the streets of its high points on Saturday night, images of Saint Marinha and Saints with the Cattle Fair, which annually Barcelos It is the celebration of animated by two musical sets, from various places in the parish. brings together hundreds of devotion, with both colour and tradition.

22 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 23 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Campo da República contact FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SANTA people of Vila Grande asked the image GPS: 41°31’58.23”N 8°37’8.68”W City Council of Barcelos JUSTA of St. Sebastian for protection, when tel.:+351 253 809 600 Last weekend of August soldiers were spotted near the villages contact e-mail: [email protected] of Couto de Dornelas, knowing that Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Barcelos www.cm-barcelos.pt Always held on the last weekend of they would steal and loot everything tel.:+351 253 802 270 August, the festival in honour of Santa to their passage. e-mail: [email protected] Justa represents one of the largest However, the troops did not stop, and the www.scmb.maisbarcelos.pt PILGRIMAGE TO NOSSA SENHORA and most important festivals of the people, grateful, fulfilled the promise DA FRANQUEIRA (OUR LADY OF large municipality of Barcelos, not made to the Saint to celebrate the FRANQUEIRA) only for its religious aspect, but mainly festival in His honour. Every year, the FESTIVAL DAS CRUZES (FESTIVAL 2nd Sunday of August for the famous “Procession of Vases”, population organizes a community meal, OF THE CROSSES) a unique tradition in our country. Young for which the stewards are responsible from May 1 to 3 The pilgrimage to Our Lady of women wear traditional costumes and (initially, the nine largest farmers from Franqueira is one of the most go in procession with towering floral the village, on a system of rotation, were The Festival das Cruzes is the first reputable Marian pilgrimages in the vases on their heads to the parish the ones in charge). These stewards, great festival of the Minho region. It is region, located in one of the most cemetery, where the vases will be with the help of family and friends also the picture of the authentic Minho beautiful and panoramic hills of the placed. It is a singular tradition of prepare the meals, which can take region in its most original ethnographic Minho region, the Franqueira Hill. The great ethno-religious symbolism. days and include bread, meat and rice. and religious traditions. During these Archpriest of Barcelos is the entity On the 20th, after mass, they go in days, residents wear their best suits responsible for this pilgrimage, which location: Negreiros procession with the Saint to the “Casa to welcome their folk dance groups, attracts thousands of people every GPS: N 41.430138 O -8.617916 do Santo” - built especially for this special lightings, the Zé-Pereiras, the year to Barcelos. The pilgrimage purpose- where the priest blesses the music bands, as well as the carpets of begins at the Main Church of Barcelos, contact food. On the main street, wooden natural flower petals and the at about 8 a.m, heading towards the City Council of Barcelos benches (table) are placed and covered decorative arcades. Also, there is a top of the hill. Then, at 10.30 a.m, an tel.:+351 253 809 600 with linen tablecloths and everyone is unique battle of flowers (May 1), a outdoor mass takes place, followed by e-mail: [email protected] invited. Each person must bring a plate, major procession of the Invention of other ceremonies and social events, in www.cm-barcelos.pt cutlery and drink to go with it. the Holy Cross (May 3) and the this emblematic space known as the grandiose fireworks sessions that Sacred Hill of the People of Barcelos. location: Rua Principal, Vila Grande - Dornelas illuminate the edges of the river and BOTICAS GPS: 41°40’50”N 7°43’15”W sprinkle of joy and colour the historic location: Franqueira, Pereira ST. SEBASTIAN’S FESTIVAL (S. centre of this city. The festival takes GPS : N 41.494676 O -8.644813 SEBASTIÃO) place from April 25 to May 3, with a January 20 PILGRIMAGE TO THE SANCTUARY particular emphasis on the period contact OF SENHOR DO MONTE (OUR from May 1 to 3. City Council of Barcelos Every year, on January 20, one of the LORD OF THE HILL) tel.:+351 253 809 600 most important community oriented last Sunday of July location: Barcelos e-mail: [email protected] festivals takes place: the “Mezinha de GPS: 41°31’58.23”N 8°37’8.68”W www.cm-barcelos.pt S. Sebastião”. Popular memory states Located in Facho Mountain, this is one that during the French invasion, the of the largest sanctuaries of the

24 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 25 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL municipality. Legend has it that it was people and animals. In fact, the Thousands participated in an extensive Fire of Saint Vincent (January 21, by formerly only a path for mule drivers festival of the Divine Saviour of the parade of dozens of floats. Over the 9.30 p.m), the Pilgrimage of the Boys who stop to rest and usually put a World, as it is nicknamed by the oldest, years, the festivals continued to (January 22), the traditional penny in a niche, asking for divine is characterized for being a religious maintain its importance, as thousands Moletinhos of St. Vincent, the Sweets protection against thieves. Until the celebration involving parishioners and of people, year after year, of the Lord and the reading about the day of the Lord of the Hill’s appearance, all their cattle. commemorate this festival and future of the agricultural year. where you can still see the footprints in On the day of the festival, the people integrate the long procession along The excitement of the celebrations the rocks. The people built Him a little of the village, near and far, take up the the streets in town. manifests itself on the night before, in chapel and the cult has grown to such cattle to fulfil a promise, making it Another ceremony associated with the churchyard of the Church of St. an extent that the handouts have take nine laps around the Chapel, these festivals is the placement of the Vincent, where a large and powerful enabled the construction of a church, sometimes carrying bags of grain, rye St. Christopher in the river, with the bonfire attracts hundreds of people of whose stones were transported on ox or corn, tied to the head, as a thank infant Jesus in one of His shoulders Braga and outsiders to the event. carts by local farmers. It is considered you for the protection provided. Then, and the boatman rod in his hand. This the protector of animals and once a the animals are blessed by the priest gigantic image is the last known location: Igreja (Church) of St. Vincent year, on a Saturday, people still follow and remain in their hundreds, example in Portugal of the GPS: N 41.556114 O -8.421207 the ritual to take the cattle to take scattered and close to the chapel until performance of this Saint, which was three laps around the sanctuary. On the end of the ceremony. banned from the religious scene by contact Sunday, the sanctuary is filled with It is an ancestral ceremony, but with a motion of the Counter-Reformation. Igreja (Church) of St. Vincent pilgrims to watch the religious deep religious trait, intact up to the tel.:+351 253 277 354 celebration and the majestic procession present day. location: Rua 5 de Outubro, Largo da Igreja e-mail:[email protected] that takes place around the sanctuary, GPS: 41°41’18”N 7°39’53”W accompanied by various musical bands. location: Santuário (Sanctuary) do Divino Then, everyone eat their snacks, watch Salvador do Mundo - S. Salvador de Viveiro contact FESTA DE S. JOÃO the musical group performance and GPS: 41°40’59”N 7°46’00”W City Council of Boticas (ST. JOHN’S FESTIVAL) walk around the place where vendors tel.:+351 276 410 200 from June 13 to 24 exhibit their products. e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA www.cm-boticas.pt The St. John is the largest festival in location: Sanctuary (Sanctuary) of Senhor do DA LIVRAÇÃO (OUR LADY OF the municipality. The first references Monte - Pinho DELIVERANCE) date back to the year 1489, and at the GPS: 41°39’43”N 7°37’60”W 3rd weekend of August BRAGA time it was also not possible to FESTIVAL OF S. VICENTE determine when this festivity first The festival in honour of Nossa (ST. VINCENT) started. The programme is rich and FESTIVAL OF SÃO SALVADOR DO Senhora da Livração and associated from January 21 to 22 varied with a lot of popular music, MUNDO fairs, quickly became a place of artistic illuminations, multiple fireworks 2nd Sunday of August “pilgrimage” in the region, bringing In honour of St. Vincent, this festival sessions and a series of cultural many people to Boticas. This festival celebrates the patron saint of the events, sports and religious activities. It is one of the most peculiar festivals has achieved one of its highest points parish, bearing the same name. It is celebrated with plastic hammers, throughout the region since it in 1936, celebrating the centenary of The traditional festival in honour of St. leek, the smell of basil, jumping the celebrates the connection between the creation of the Municipality. Vincent contains traditions such as the bonfire and traditional dancing.

26 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 27 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL A popular and religious festival, which contact has the indispensable presence of folk Parish Council of Quintanilha dancing groups, folk music bands, tel.:+351 273 939 417/916 788 195 groups of “gigantones” (giants) and e-mail: [email protected] “cabeçudos” (big heads), drums, “Zés Pereiras”, theatre, traditional games, concerts and the large celebration on FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA the night of June 23. DAS GRAÇAS (OUR LADY OF GRACE) location: Historical Centre from August 12 to 22 GPS: N 41.541975 O -8.418793 The festival in honour of Our Lady of contact BRAGANÇA Grace, patron saint of the city of Comissão de festas de S. João FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA Bragança, takes place from August 11 www.saojoaobraga.pt RIBEIRA (OUR LADY OF RIBEIRA) to 22. The programme includes a last Sunday of May series of musical performances and celebrations held at the Bragança FESTIVAL OF SANTA MARTA DA The fame of miracles attributed to the Castle, with the Festival of History FALPERRA image of the Blessed Virgin, found by a and a pyromusical display. from July 28 to 29 shepherdess, was confirmed by The religious programme, dedicated to amazing cures that led to an immense the patron saint of the city, has its Falperra festival in honour of St. Marta devotion to this site. Legend has it that high point with the mass in the and St. is celebrated this temple was small and humble Cathedral, followed by the great by the Church on July 29. It is the when Queen Saint Isabel passed Solemn Procession through the second largest festival of Braga, one through it on her way to Trancoso, to streets of the city. of the oldest of the Minho region, marry D. Dinis. attracting thousands of visitors. The It was brought to her attention by the location: Bragança programme of this Festival brings fact that so many people were there, GPS: N 41.80671 O -6.754933 together the sacred, the traditional making her want to worship the image and the profane. Apart from devotion too and be placed under Her contact and the payment of promises, there is protection. Comissão Fabriqueira – Paço Episcopal de dancing, a fair, picnics and rockets. The devotion endures, as well as the Bragança chapel which attracts a lot of tel.:+351 273 300 360 location: Falperra devotees every year, to venerate the GPS: N 41.518946 O -8.391599 image of Our Lady of Ribeira. contact location: Quintanilha Irmandade de Santa Maria Madalena da Falperra GPS: N 41.734125 O -6.576349 tel.:+351 253 683 330

28 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 29 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA various villages and people go the DA SERRA (OUR LADY OF THE streets with masks on. MOUNTAIN) From Christmas time, until the day of from August 30 to September 8 the Three Wise Men Day, various rituals with masks emerge, in which Legend has it that Our Lady would these strange beings “are on the loose”. have appeared to a shepherdess, a The origin of the masked characters is deaf-mute girl, which every day kept bound to the cult of the ancestors, the her herd in Nogueira Mountain, and fertility of the fields, the fertility of men Our Lady asked her to tell the and of animals, the maintenance of civic, inhabitants of the village to build a moral law and order. The thematic church at the highest point of the festival of the masks in the municipality mountain, in Her memory. Our Lady of Bragança is essentially associated would have performed a miracle by with the following ceremonies: Festa making the girl speak again, and the dos Rapazes, Varge and Aveleda – place where the church should be built December 25 and 26; Santo Estêvão, was marked with snow, on a sunny Rebordãos, Parada de Infanções, Grijó day of August. de Parada – December 26; Festa dos This festival attracts thousands of Reis, Salsas – from January 1 to 6 ; devotees between August 30 and Rebordainhos – January 6; Baçal – September 8, which is also associated January 5 and 6. with the traditional cuisine and a playful environment. location: Varge, Aveleda, Rebordãos, Parada de Infanções, Grijó de Parada, Salsas, location: Rebordãos Rebordainhos, Baçal GPS: N 41.717793 O -6.854928 GPS Varge: N 41.871082 O -6.681018 contact Aveleda: N 41.891039 O -6.695979 Parish Council of Rebordãos Rebordãos: N 41.740111 O -6.827172 tel.:+351 273 979 339/934 855 119 Parada de Infanções: N 41.680897 O -6.690289 Grijó de Parada: N 41.715529 O -6.687571 Salsas: N 41.637364 O -6.815903 WINTER FESTIVALS Rebordainhos: N 41.668442 O -6.860506 from December 25 to January 6 Baçal: N 41.852537 O -6.722268

The most characteristic festivals in Contact the municipality of Bragança are those City Council of Bragança that take place at the winter solstice, tel.:+351 273 304 200 when the big bonfires are made in the www.cm-braganca.pt

30 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 31 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL CABECEIRAS DE BASTO location: Vila de Cavez - Ponte contact FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF GPS: 41°30´59.1”N 7°53´24.08”W Tourism Office of Cabeceiras de Basto S. SEBASTIÃO (ST. SEBASTIAN) tel.:+351 253 669 100/253 669 070 January 20 e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA www.cabeceirasdebasto.pt The Festival of Papas, in honour of St. SENHORA DOS REMÉDIOS Sebastian, represents one of the most (OUR LADY OF REMEDIES) authentic and traditional cultural 1st weekend of September CAMINHA manifestations of Cabeceiras de FESTA DE SÃO BENTO Basto. The Festival of Our Lady of Remedies (ST. BENEDICT’S FESTIVAL) It is held on January 20, one year at stands out for its , both from July 10 to 13 the Parish of Gondiães and the next the candles’ procession and its grand year in the Parish of Samão. The procession, which always takes place Between July 10 and 13 , the parish of Papas in honour of St. Sebastian is a on the last day of the festival. It Seixas celebrates the festival in meal prepared since ancestral times, attracts thousands of visitors that can honour of St. Benedict. This popular where flour and pork meat are cooked also enjoy a Portuguese music festival with a long tradition, attracts in the same water. This is a highly programme. thousands of visitors that come to the appreciated meal in this festival. parish to participate in the religious location: Vila de Arco de Baúlhe worship – namely to deliver carnations location: Gondiães and Samão GPS: 41°29’09.3”N 7°57’41.2”W and other alms to St. Benedict. Also, GPS: 41°34’03.29”N 7°51’56.7”W visitors can enjoy the animation offered by the festival: music bands, FESTAS DE S. MIGUEL (ST. brass bands, Zés Pereiras and drums, FESTIVAL OF S. BARTOLOMEU DE ’S FESTIVALS) firework shows and other CAVEZ (ST. BARTHOLOMEW OF 20 to 30 September performances. From the religious CAVEZ) programme, we highlight the solemn August 23 and 24 The Festivals in honour of St. Michael mass held on the morning of day 11, are marked by the habits and customs followed by a procession and the The Festival of St. Bartholomew of of the town of Refojos, in keeping with traditional sermon, in the river beach Cavez is a very ancient celebration and the tradition of horse races, livestock and the “Blessing of the Boats”. of great importance for its residents fair, bull fighting, folklore, and visitors. Every year, from August Ethnographic Parade where various location: Largo e Capela de S. Bento - Seixas 23 to 24, thousands of people come parishes participate, with concertinas, GPS: 41°53’45.86”N 8° 49’6.71”W here to get hit with the Saint over the fireworks, musical entertainment and, head and drink the water from the finally, mass and procession on contact spring located along the river. There is September 29 (municipal holiday). Confraria de S. Bento de Seixas also a cultural, recreational and tel.:+351 968 022 369 religious programme, aimed at location: Vila de Cabeceiras de Basto e-mail: [email protected] different age groups. GPS: 41°30’48.6”N 7°59’35.4”W www.saobentoseixas.com

32 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 33 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVALS IN HONOUR OF SANTA RITA DE CÁSSIA (ST. RITA OF CASCIA) 2nd weekend of August

On the second weekend of August, the festivals in honour of St. Rita of Cascia are held in Caminha. This popular festivity dates back to the year 1844, attracting thousands of people. The religious programme includes the sermons and the majestic procession consisting of dozens of wooden platforms and characters, always accompanied by a fanfare or music band. The cultural programme is also diverse and rich. There are many concerts and firework shows. One of the highlights of the Festival is the monumental serenade of fireworks on the banks of the Coura river, which takes place on the last night of the festivities. location: Historical Centre of Vila de Caminha GPS: 41°52’34.25”N 8° 50’18.12”W contact Parish of Caminha tel.:+351 258 921 413 e-mail: [email protected] www.paroquiadecaminha.com

FESTIVAL OF SÃO JOÃO D’ARGA (ST. JOHN D’ARGA) from August 28 to 29

The Festival of St. John d’Arga is one of the most typical one from the

34 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 35 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL festive calendar of . It popular among the fishing community actions of promotion and sale of preserves the tradition of having in the municipality of Caminha, since regional products, with particular pilgrims walk to São João d’Arga. 1883. The centre of the festival is an reference to apples, wine and olive oil. After climbing the hill, the pilgrims old place named Lagarteira, next to The Ethnographic Procession stands fulfil the promise of taking three laps the Fort. It has all the typical out and takes place during the around the Chapel and deliver two ingredients: Philharmonic bands, Saturday afternoon, with the alms: one to the Saint... and the other musical performances, dance, folklore, representation of all the parishes of to the devil. the Ethnographic procession, religious the municipality. On Sunday afternoon, On the night of 28 to 29 there is a big processions, fireworks, good food and the grand Solemn Procession takes celebration, with constant animation. good wine. place, where all the patron saints of To warm up the throats and the body The highlight of the Festival is the the Municipality participate in their - because the village stands at an majestic procession where naval wooden platforms richly decorated altitude of about 800 metres - the vessels “dress” their best party attires honour of Our Lady of the Assumption, with flowers. pilgrims have to their disposal local and head to the Ínsua Fort to collect whose numerous wooden platforms specialities: bread, chouriço (typical the image of Our Lady of Ínsua. are decorated with different satin location: Praça do Município smoked sausage), goat, wine and the colours. GPS: 41°14’31.19”N 7°18’20.31”W “chiripiti”, a mixture of honey and location: Praça da República and Campo do On Sunday, the procession leaves from brandy, produced in the mountains. Castelo the Church of St. Mary Magdalene Faith and legends aside, the festival is GPS: 41°48’48.54”N 8°51’43.20”W toward the sanctuary of Our Lady of FESTIVAL OF SANTA EUFÉMIA very well known for the concertina the Assumption, where the lively (ST. ) players and the “cantigas ao desafio” contact festivities take place during the night. from 15 to 16 September (singing challenges) that last until Parish of Vila Praia de Âncora On the morning of the following day, dawn. www.paroquiavpancora.blogspot.com the procession is held once more, The festival in honour of St. Euphemia returning the wooden platforms to the of Lavandeira takes place on location: Monastery (Mosteiro) of S. João Main Church. September 15 and 16, close to the D’Arga CARRAZEDA DE ANSIÃES cycle of summer parties in the GPS: 41°50’17.60”N 8°43’55.99”W FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA location: da Castanheira municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães. SENHORA DA ASSUNÇÃO (OUR GPS: 41°12’13.13”N 7°12’48.22”W On day 15, it is usual to have contact LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION) thousands of foreigners heading to the Festival commission of S. João D’Arga 1st weekend of August village of Lavandeira to taste the tel.:+351 258 921 912 FESTIVAL OF CARRAZEDA homemade roasted pork on the spit, The feasts in honour of Our Lady of last weekend of August known locally as “marrã”. the Assumption are held on the first Tables and grills are placed all over FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA weekend of August, Sunday and The festival of Carrazeda de Ansiães is the village and the smell of roast SENHORA DA BONANÇA Monday, in Vilarinho da Castanheira. held on the last weekend of August invades all alleys and streets in town. 2nd weekend of September This festival is one of the largest and constitutes the main festival of The 16th is dedicated to the religious festivals in the municipality of the municipality. The festival includes ceremonies, when locals pay their The festival in honour of Nossa Carrazeda de Ansiães and its highest a very diverse activities’ programme: promises to the Fraternity of St. Senhora da Bonança is the most point is the Grand Procession in music concerts, exhibitions, lectures, Euphemia.

36 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 37 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTA DE SÃO JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Amoras, FESTIVAL) in Oliveira do Arda, followed by a from June 23 and 24 procession up the mountain towards the Chapel of St. Dominic, where a Through the lands of Paiva, the Mass is held in honour of the saint. tradition of celebrating the popular The procession is accompanied by a Saints is kept alive, being St. John the brass band and the wooden platforms one that deserves more prominence, are carried by the devotees as thus justifying the municipal holiday fulfilment of their promises. on June 24. Colourful and lively parades mark the location: São Domingos-Raiva night of the 23rd, whose animation GPS: N 41.016667 O -8.350000 lasts until dawn, with a beautiful session of fireworks at midnight and the performance of famous FESTIVAL OF SANTA EUFÉMIA Portuguese musical bands. (ST. EUPHEMIA) On the 24th (municipal holiday) the from 14 to 16 September traditional grilled sardines that are offered to the population by From age-old traditions, the festival of Municipality stand out, accompanied St. Euphemia already appears The afternoon is the highlight of the This festival is held in one of the most by the “Vinho Verde de Paiva” (wine). referenced as a place of great day with the Eucharist followed by a beautiful places of the municipality, devotion in the parish survey of 1758. solemn Procession in honour of the the St. Adrian Hill, in the parish of location: Largo do Conde - Sobrado Thousands of pilgrims travel great miraculous St. Euphemia. Real. GPS: N 41.040845 O -8.271861 distances on foot to fulfil their The religious ceremonies start on the promises and worship the saint of location: Lavandeira Main Church of the parish with the their devotion. GPS: 41°11’42.17”N 7°18’12.21”W celebration of a mass, followed by a ROMARIA DE SÃO DOMINGOS This festival is also known for its local procession towards the mountain, (FESTIVAL OF ST. DOMINIC) cuisine: St. Euphemia- steaks and contact with the wooden platforms to be August 4 bean stew, both drizzled with the City Council of Carrazeda de Ansiães taken on the backs of devotees as famous “Vinho Verde” (wine) of the tel.:+351 278 610 200 payment for promises. At the top of This festival - one of the largest of the region. The festival includes a cattle e-mail: [email protected] the mountain, a mass is held in the municipality - is held in one of the contest on the 14th. The religious part www.cm-carrazedadeansiaes.pt chapel in honour of St. Adrian. In the most emblematic sites: the São of the festival is held on the saint’s end, people can enjoy the beauty of Domingos Hill. Thousands of pilgrims day, the 16th, with a Mass and a the site, share their snacks in the from various parts of the country procession in honour of St. Euphemia. CASTELO DE PAIVA picnic tables and dance. flock to the site, covering long FESTA DE SANTO ADRIÃO (ST. distances on foot to fulfil their location: Touriz - São Pedro do Paraíso ADRIAN’S FESTIVAL) location: Monte de Santo Adrião - Real promises. GPS: N 41.016192 O -8.297810 Sunday following Ascension Thursday GPS: N 40.584825 O -8.145640 Religious ceremonies begin in the

38 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 39 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact held. In this context, the festivities location: Rego an interval of five decades, and take City Council of Castelo de Paiva promote folklore and drum “despiques” GPS: N 41.423019 O -8.086353 place in the Public Garden of Chaves, on tel.:+351 255 689 500 (improvisation). the third Sunday of September. e-mail: [email protected] contact The festivities are organized by the www.cm-castelo-paiva.pt location: Praça Cardeal D. António Ribeiro and City Council of Celorico de Basto municipality of Chaves, Chaves Viva Praça Albino Alves Pereira tel.:+351 255 320 300 Association, and the Parish Churches of GPS: N 41.388080 O -8.000083 e-mail: [email protected] Santa Maria Major and Santa Maria CELORICO DE BASTO www.mun-celoricodebasto.pt Madalena, with the support of the PILGRIMAGE AND FESTIVAL IN parishes of the municipality of Chaves. HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA DO FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA The programme begins with an outdoor VISO (OUR LADY OF VISO) SENHORA DE OLIVEIRA (OUR LADY CHAVES Mass in the Public Garden, followed by Pilgrimage - 1st Sunday of June OF THE OLIVE TREE) FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA the traditional and crowded procession Festival - 2nd Sunday of September 2nd weekend of August SENHORA DAS BROTAS along the streets of the historical from April 11 to 13 centre of Chaves, with the patron saints This festival includes the archpriestal, The Festival in Honour of Nossa of the parishes of the municipality, and therefore every parish in the Senhora de Oliveira is mainly The festivities in honour of this patron accompanied by the sound of six brass municipality is present. The largest characterized by the Folk Dance saint are an ancient tradition. bands, and ending in Camões Square. festival of Celorico de Basto, in honour Group’s Festival. The festival has Soon after Easter, the population of The event ends with the brass bands of Our Lady of Viso, draws thousands fireworks and a grand religious Chaves pays tribute to this saint in an playing together the March of Chaves, of pilgrims to the precinct of the procession with unique characteristics authentic manifestation and devotion of whose lyrics refer to the festivities. religious ceremonies as its main that takes place along the streets of faith at S. Neutel Fort, with a wide highlight. Gandarela. recreational and religious programme, location: Public Garden of Chaves and streets with particular emphasis on the two of the Historical Centre location: Caçarilhe location: Gandarela Masses in honour of the patron saint, one GPS: 41˚44’14.24”N 7˚28’01.34”W GPS: N 41.411920 N -8.086353 GPS: N 41.45864 O -8.032872 on Sunday and the other on Monday, the saint’s day. Senhora das Brotas (Our contact Lady of Springs) is the first festival of City Council of Chaves MUNICIPALITY’S FESTIVALS IN S. BARTOLOMEU DO REGO (ST. the year in the city of Chaves. tel.:+351 276 340 500 HONOUR OF S. TIAGO (ST. JAMES) BARTHOLOMEW OF REGO) e-mail: [email protected] from July 25 to 26 August 24 location: Forte de S. Neutel www.chaves.pt GPS: 41˚45’01.73”N 7˚28’03.29”W The Municipality’s Festivals take place The Festival in honour of St. in the weekend of July 25 and feature Bartholomew is characterised by the FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA CINFÃES a series of cultural activities, with well-known event called “lavoura dos SENHORA DAS GRAÇAS (OUR FESTIVAL OF THE SENHOR DOS emphasis on the Ethnographic Parade, cães”, a kind of carnival parade drawing LADY OF GRACES) ENFERMOS involving associations, organisations thousands of people to the parish of 20 September from May 24 and 25 and communities of the municipality. Rego. The religious procession in honour During these days, great musical of St. Bartholomew takes place before The festivities in honour of Our Lady of The interest in the events and the concerts with national groups are the “lavoura dos cães”. Graces were recovered in 2005, after belief in a cure for the sick of those

40 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 41 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL that flock to this site started a long location: Largo da Feira time ago, and therefore this festival GPS: N 41.071905 O -8.086987 now draws people from all corners. It is now one of the most important and most crowded festivities of Beira ROMARIA DE S. PEDRO Douro. However, the history behind the (ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL) Sanctuary of Nosso Senhor dos June 29 Enfermos does not only belong to the past, but it still persists today and will In an extensive desert and continue forever. The spirit that inhospitable plateau, dotted with enthused the first founding elements gorses and ferns, emerges the now lives in the dynamism of the board Sanctuary of S. Pedro do Campo. members that currently continue the Next to the chapel, there are ancient work. A dynamism of which they are stones and tomb-like monuments of proud, and which makes them feel prehistoric cults and societies that useful to the municipality and to the transport this space into the sacred cause they serve. reason of the festival. There are few records of the chapel, but it is known location: Largo da Igreja, Macieira - Fornelos that in the early 17th century there GPS: N 41.020791 O -8.205551 were already mediaeval roads and trade. It is therefore one of the largest cultural celebrations; a festival that FESTA DE S. JOÃO includes a fair, tradition and faith. (ST. JOHN’S FESTIVAL) from June 20 to 24 location: Santuário (Sanctuary) of S. Pedro do Campo The Festivals of the Municipality of GPS: N 41.008386 O -8.085399 Cinfães, in honour of St. John, are one of the unavoidable landmarks of the contact city’s life, which count with an City Council of Cinfães increasing number of believers and tel.:+351 255 560 560 proud revellers. From June 20 to 24, e-mail: [email protected]; thousands of people celebrate the [email protected] / www.cm-cinfaes.pt Popular Saints’ Festivals in Cinfães. The municipality has a varied and audacious entertainment programme, ESPINHO providing plenty of joy with the village FESTA DE S. PEDRO (ST. PETER’S appropriately dressed and the streets FESTIVAL) filled with colours and aromas. June 29

42 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 43 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Over the past few years, St. Peter’s of Our Lady of Help by several Festival has been considered as one of volunteers at night is noteworthy. the great festivals of the municipality. On the last day, the weekly fair closes The “Rusgas a S. Pedro Parade” and the festivities with the traditional Re-enactment of the Xávega Art “Onion Fair”, which are exposed in (traditional Portuguese Fishing braids - an ancestral practice. Technique), where a yoke of oxen is used, and the Majestic Procession that location: Parish of Espinho runs through the main arteries of the GPS: 41°00’27.2”N 8°38’37.5”W city (the chapel being the starting point) are the highlights of this festival that brings many people to Espinho. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA The profane component of this event Year after year, thousands of people SENHORA DOS ALTOS-CÉUS AND - dedicated once again to life at sea - come to admire the magnificent work S. MAMEDE includes folk music and eating and of the people of the sea. 3rd weekend of August drinking. location: Bairro piscatório (Fishing Quarter) For many years now, the traditional location: Parish of Espinho GPS: 40°59’47.1”N 8°38’34.1”W festivals “Festas dos Rojões”(fried GPS: 41°00’00.9”N 8°38’43.9”W pork meat festival) and “Festa dos Tremoços” (lupin beans festival) have FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA been a reference in the folk festival FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA DA AJUDA panorama of the municipality of SENHORA DO MAR (OUR LADY OF HELP) Espinho and beyond. Once, in a time (OUR LADY OF THE SEA) 3rd Sunday of September where there were no refrigerators yet, 1st weekend of August the meat was preserved in salt or Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of through a smoking process, and the The great festival in honour of Our Help) is the patron saint of the city pig slaughter took place from October Lady of the Sea, patron saint of the and protector of life at sea. onwards, when the weather was fishermen, is a celebration of great The cult of Our Lady of Help that cooler. At the time of the festival, faith and tradition. Every year the includes the celebration of the High farmers would kill the pigs, so that tradition continues with a programme Mass and the respectful Procession there was plenty of food. full of entertainment and music. are followed by a folk festival, At the weekend following the religious On the first day, the traditional culminating in a great pyromusical festival, people socialize, eat lupin “Fisherman’s Parade” takes place. show. beans, savour a good red wine to the Along the streets, men proudly Every year, thousands of people attend sound of music and with plenty of dressed as fishermen and women the Majestic Procession. One of the entertainment. flashing their aprons remember and most emotional moments is the honour the profession of those that Blessing of the Sea. location: Lugar dos Altos-Céus - Parish of Anta risk their lives to support their families. The preparation of the Flower Carpet GPS: 41°00’03.0”N 8°36’24.1”W

44 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 45 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact from the 17th century onwards until On August 15, Our Lady of Good City Council of Espinho the end of the 19th century, it served Health and Solitude is honoured with a tel.:+351 227 335 800 as a crossing location for people, majestic diurnal procession. e-mail: [email protected] cars, animals and pilgrims between There is also an evening folk festival, www.cm-espinho.pt the two banks of the Cávado river. fireworks, games, entertainment and Many pilgrims of the municipality of musical groups that complete this Esposende flock to the Chapel of Our very lively and special day. ESPOSENDE Lady of the Lake every year - some FESTA DE SÃO JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S coming from the city and others location: City of Esposende FESTIVAL) from Vila de Fão - arriving in GPS: 41°31’54.83”N 8°46’30.27”W June 24 decorated boats so they can later join the river procession that takes The St. John’s Festival in Esposende is place on Sunday. The image of Our FESTIVAL OF SÃO BARTOLOMEU an exuberant and magnificent display Lady of the Lake is transported on a DO MAR (ST. BARTHOLOMEW OF where, as tradition dictates, paper hot boat along the river, and then THE SEA) air balloons are released into the sky, transported to the churchyard August 24 bonfires are lit up, around which people opposite the local chapel, where a dance and sing, arches richly decorated preacher delivers the sermon. The age-old festival of São Bartolomeu are raised, and popular parades are do Mar (St. Bartholomew of the Sea) is organized that cheerfully move along location: Barca do - Gemeses one of the busiest in northern Portugal. the main arteries of the localities. GPS: 41°31’1.36”N 8°44’38.09”W The “Linen Fair”, today without the The St. John’s Festival means popular vigour and considerable economic merrymaking, joy and exuberance, dimension of olden times, is carried out which should not go without the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA only on August 24. In this festival, the traditional sardines, cornbread and red DA SAÚDE E DA SOLEDADE rituals regarding the offering of a black Vinho Verde (wine) that quenches the (OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH chicken to the Saint by children and thirsty mouths of such festive people. AND SOLITUDE) the Holy Bath happen every year. The August 15 Holy bath in the Atlantic is a symbol of location: City of Esposende purification and regeneration to a new GPS: 41°32’3.87”N 8°46’59.42”W The city festivities have an average life. In the afternoon, the Procession duration of ten days, including the to the Sea takes place with a sermon Festival in honour of Nossa Senhora and the blessing of the sea. ROMARIA DA SENHORA DO LAGO da Saúde e da Soledade (Our Lady of (FESTIVAL OF THE LADY OF THE Good Health and Solitude). location: União de Freguesias de Mar e Belinho LAKE) The City’s Day is celebrated on GPS: 41°34’25.52”N 8°47’26.56”W 1st Sunday of August and the previous Saturday August 19. Normally, the festivities end on this day with a grand contact The name Barca do Lago (“Boat of the procession and the participation of City Council of Esposende Lake”) is due to the fact that, at least the Voluntary Firemen of Esposende. tel.:+351 253 960 100

46 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 47 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL e-mail: [email protected] Sorrows takes place. Face to face, FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DAS www.visitesposende.com they bow, which symbolises the GRAÇAS (OUR LADY OF GRACES) www.cm-esposende.pt welcoming action of Fafe towards its last Sunday of August guest, the parish of Antime. Our Lady belongs to Fafe during this time, even The Festival in honour of Our Lady of FAFE if for just a few hours. The procession Graces (Nossa Senhora das Graças) MUNICIPALITY’S FESTIVALS continues, stops at the Town Hall, takes place on the last weekend of 2nd weekend of July goes through the Main Church and August, and on the previous weekend an ends at the New Church of S. José. It auction is held to raise funds for the The Festivals in honour of Our Lady of remains there until 18.00, after which festival, called the Weekend Raffle. The Antime (Nossa Senhora de Antime) it returns to Antime. In the evening, weekend of the festival begins on Friday and (Nossa after the promises are fulfilled, the with a candlelight procession, which Senhora das Dores) derive from a image returns to its usual place for leaves the Parish Church of Travassós known legend. According to legend, the rest of the year. and heads towards the Chapel of Our the image of the Virgin appeared on location: city centre Lady of Graces. S. Jorge Hill, a disputed site by two GPS: 41°27’05.91”N 8°10’15.18”W On Sunday, the festival’s main day, at parishes, Fafe and Antime. After 10:00 am, the High Mass of the festival lengthy discussions, the people is celebrated. In the afternoon, at 5:00 decided that the image of Our Lady of FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA pm, a procession around the Chapel of Antime would stay in the Church of DAS NEVES (OUR LADY OF THE Our Lady of Graces takes place. Antime throughout the year, but on SNOWS) the day of the festival, the men of Friday before the last Saturday of August location: Travassós Antime would take it to the parish’s GPS: 41°29’29.65”N 8°11’27.77”W borders. Then, the people from Fafe The Festival in honour of Our Lady of would take the image to their town, the Snows (Nossa Senhora das Neves) contact where they would celebrate until is one of the most symbolic and City Council of Fafe sunset, at which time the image of Our important festivals of the municipality tel.:+351 253 700 400 Lady would return to its habitual of Fafe. Every year on the last Friday e-mail: [email protected] residence. of August, many devotees head www.cm-fafe.pt Today, the procession begins after the towards Lagoa to pray, to fulfil their Eucharist. Ten men in white surplice promises and put the image of Our and barefoot take the heavy wooden Lady of the Snows on their head. This FELGUEIRAS platform with the image of Our Lady gesture works as an exorcism or, in MUNICIPALITY’S FESTIVALS – SÃO of Mercy, holding Her Son on Her lap, common parlance, to “take out the PEDRO (ST. PETER) for a three-hour walk. Next to the devil”, believing that thus they are free June 29 Bridge of S. José, on the border from all evil. between the parishes, the encounter St. Peter is the popular and patron saint between the image of Our Lady of location: Lagoa of the municipality of Felgueiras and its Antime and the image of Our Lady of GPS: 41°30’58.70”N 8°05’22.46”W people have become accustomed to

48 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 49 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL celebrate it with great fanfare. Every location: City of Lixa year, several thousand visitors attend GPS: 41°31´86.2”N 8°14´13.8”W this festival - the largest festival of Felgueiras. The City Council of contact Felgueiras organizes the St. Peter’s União das de Vila Cova da Lixa e Festival, taking into account the Borba de Godim importance of traditional festivities e-mail: [email protected] and the fact that St. Peter’s Day is a tel.:+351 255 494 983 Municipal Holiday. The programme includes the Flower Parade, the solemn Procession, the St. FREIXO DE ESPADA À CINTA Peter’s Parade, the “tasquinhas” (a SETE PASSOS (SEVEN STEPS) sort of pubs), the Crafts Fair and to the Main Church. In the meantime, procession the streets surrounding the Economic Activities, the painting It takes place every Friday from a candlelight procession takes place church are covered with carpets of contest “Pinta”, various musical Carnival to Easter. This is a pagan along the streets of Freixo, before geometrical flowers presenting performances, street entertainment, procession representing the proceeding to the festival’s grand cheerful and vivid colours. Along the pyromusical spectacle and folklore. commendation of souls, of mediaeval Sunday procession. The festivities path of the procession, the residents origin, and which has survived to the conclude on Monday when Our Lady adorn their balconies with quilts. location: city of Felgueiras - Santa Quitéria present day. It takes place on the seven returns to the hill. GPS: 41°21’57”N 8°11’52”W Fridays from Carnival to Easter (Lent), location: Igreja Paroquial de Baguim do Monte from midnight onwards with the total location: Jardim Municipal – Praça Jorge (parish church) - Baguim do Monte contact absence of electricity on the streets. Alvares GPS: N 41.188343 O -8.539081 Tourist Shop GPS: N 41.088194 O -6.810123 tel.:+351 255 925 468 location: main streets in town contact e-mail: [email protected] GPS: N 41.092118 O -6.805310 contact Parish of Baguim do Monte (Coração de Maria) www.cm-felgueiras.pt City Council of Freixo de Espada à Cinta tel.:+351 224 897 461 tel.:+351 279 653 016 e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA SENHORA DOS MONTES ERMOS www.cm-freixoespadacinta.pt DAS VITÓRIAS (OUR LADY OF 3rd weekend of August FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF S. BENTO VICTORIES) DAS PÊRAS (ST. BENEDICT) 1st Monday of September The Festival in honour of Nossa GONDOMAR weekend before July 11 until the following weekend Senhora dos Montes Ermos, the town’s FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF S. BRÁS This is a popular and religious festival main festival held in August, emerges (ST. BLAISE) On July 11, Rio Tinto celebrates the that takes place in the city of Lixa, on at the end of the 17th century and February 3 Festival in honour of St. Benedict, the first Monday of September, with a beginning of the 18th century. popularly known as “S. Bento das great involvement of the young The religious ceremony begins on a On February 3, the Festival in honour Pêras”, culminating in the procession, population. Thursday, the day on which Our Lady is of St. Blaise (S. Brás) takes place. It is and attracting thousands of devotees, brought down from the hill to be taken tradition that on the day of the who make the journey carrying

50 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 51 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL GPS: N 41.135645 O -8.533104 THE GREAT FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF S. TORCATO contact 1st weekend of July Confraria de S. Cosme e S. Damião e Nossa Senhora do Rosário The Great Festival in Honour of St. tel.:+351 224 834 308 Torquatus allows everyone to e-mail: [email protected] experience one of the largest festivals www.saocosme.com of Minho. Here one can feel the strongest popular traditions within a great rural area and a way of life that GUIMARÃES is close to ancient rural customs. The FESTIVAL OF THE CROSSES OF cult of St. Torquatus dates back to SERZEDELO ancient times. However, the Great 1st weekend of May Festival might have begun in 1852 when the unsullied body of St. Torquatus was Amongst the various religious transferred from the old church to the manifestations of the parish, one of the new temple. The festival is divided most symbolic and important festivities between religious ceremonies of is the Festival of the Crosses. The devotion to the saint and popular festival pays homage to the Glorious demonstrations of joy, dominated by carnations. St. Benedict is considered This festival, also known as the “Walnut Cross of Christ’s Resurrection on the the genuine folklore of Minho. the advocate of impossible causes. Festival”, attracts thousands of pilgrims first Sunday after May 3. The Festival of from the most diverse areas of the the Crosses is of medieval inspiration. location: Mosteiro de S. Torcato location: Main Church of Rio Tinto – Largo do country to Gondomar. The procession In this religious event, whose designation GPS: 41°28’54.65”N 8°15’30.54”W Mosteiro / GPS: N 41.17786 O -8.I559227 always takes place on Monday following reveals the nature of the cult, the the first Sunday in October (municipal spotlight falls on sixteen crosses contact contact holiday). The programme of festivities exquisitely decorated and belonging to Irmandade de São Torcato Parish of Rio Tinto also includes cultural and recreational an equal number of families that cherish tel.:+351 253 551 150 tel.:+351 224 890 287 initiatives, varied shows, a gastronomic them with pride and dedication. e-mail: [email protected] festival and traditional “despiques” The festival’s programme is varied, www.paroquiariotinto.pt (improvisation) of music bands from the whether in religious or in recreational “GUALTERIANA” AND CITY municipality. The festival also includes terms. FESTIVITIES many stalls with wares and articles of 1st weekend of August FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA every kind, and food and drinks - nuts, location: Church of Serzedelo SENHORA DO ROSÁRIO sweet wine and twist bread - which the GPS: 41°24’8.87”N 8°22’4.84”W The “Gualteriana” (in honour of St. (OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY) community highly enjoys. Gualter) and the City Festivities are contact combined in a huge demonstration of Saturday before the 1st Sunday and until the 2nd Sunday location: Igreja Paroquial (parish church) of Festival Organizer: António Pereira Fernandes folk festivity. These festivals take of October Gondomar tel.:+351 915 759 524 place at the first weekend of August.

52 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 53 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Four days of celebration and joy where secular traditions are mixed with the experience of a modern city. In addition to the traditional religious events, the programme includes masses and processions, a bullfight in a mobile enclosure, erected every year for the event, horse races, parades and permanent entertainment for each day, culminating with daily firework sessions. location: City Centre of Guimarães, several This cult was later borrowed by the places students who established a chapel in GPS: 41°26’32.05”N 8°17’29.88”W honour of St. Nicholas, hosting therein their Brotherhood. contact A Oficina – Centro Cultural Vila Flor location: city centre, several places tel.:+351 253 424 700/916 329 333 GPS: 41°26’26.67”N 8°17’23.31”W e-mail: [email protected] www.ccvf.pt contact AAELG - Velhos Nicolinos Assoc. Torre dos Almadas FESTAS NICOLINAS (FESTIVITIES tel.:+351 933 242 677 IN HONOUR OF ST. NICHOLAS) e-mail: [email protected] from 29 November to 6 December www.nicolinos.pt

These Festivities have their origin in the religious devotion to St. Nicholas. LAMEGO This cult reached Guimarães through FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA the pilgrims who would come to the DOS REMÉDIOS (OUR LADY OF city as well as the pilgrims heading REMEDIES) towards/coming from Santiago de from August 20 to September 9 Compostela. The celebrations in honour of St. It originates from a temple, erected in Nicholas were originally religious. 1361, on the same location as the However, with the passage of time, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies profane celebrations have been (Nossa Senhora dos Remédios). In included in these festivities. 1551, the then Bishop of Lamego

54 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 55 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Majestic Procession of Triumph take e-mail: [email protected] place. www.diocese-lamego.pt In the afternoon of September 8 - City Council of Lamego municipal holiday - thousands of tel.:+351 254 609 600 people attend this unique procession, e-mail: [email protected] admiring the wooden platforms www.cm-lamego.pt bearing sacred images pulled by a bedecked yoke of oxen, the only one in Portugal and probably in the world, LOUSADA with express permission of the Holy FESTA DE SANTA ÁGUEDA See. (ST. AGATHA’S FESTIVAL) February 5 location: city of Lamego GPS: 41°05´30.60”N 7°48´58.92”W It is on February 5 that nature lovers head towards Sousela and lay their linen tablecloths with the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA tastiest snacks. This festival is DOS MENINOS (OUR LADY OF THE notable for the typical carnival due CHILDREN) to its location: the bottom of a from 18 to 21 September valley from where a stream erected the first chapel in honour of the Life of the Virgin is depicted, citing meanders. Our Lady of Remedies, where now the Festival in honour of Our Lady of the the Old Testament and the tradition The Virgin St. Agatha of and Court of the (the square on the Children (Nossa Senhora dos written in so-called Apocryphal St. Christopher are worshipped here stairway) is located. Meninos). In Lamego, Our Lady of the Gospels. Some works in jacaranda as patron saints of breast milk and In 1750, due to its degradation, the Children is the most precious jewel of wood from Brazil are still preserved lack of appetite, respectively. The Brotherhood ordered its demolition the residents of the neighbourhood of - once very common in our churches site has a remarkable influx of and built a magnificent Sanctuary and Ponte. Their zeal for the saint is so (18th century). pilgrims from distant lands to fulfil a stairway with 618 steps, connecting great that they would not allow, in any The 17th and 18th-century style tiles their promises. It is adorned by it to the city. This work was only circumstance, anyone to remove the on the walls are also worth of adjacent hills, dotted with pristine inaugurated in 1778. The festivities saint from the chapel. mention. The roof of the body of the linen tablecloths gracefully laid grew over the years and become one Besides the curious 16th century small chapel describes the Life of down, with outsiders enjoying their of the greatest in the country. Today, sculpture, one can appreciate the Christ in over fifty panels. packed meals accompanied with the the programme includes exhibitions, temple built by order of Bishop Manoel delicious “Vinho Verde” (wine) of the concerts, parades, processions, fairs, de Noronha, between 1551 and 1569. location: Bairro da Ponte region. cultural and sporting events. It is The altarpiece is a beautiful piece GPS: 41°05´33.11”N 7°48´07.71”W worth highlighting the 6, 7 and 8 from the first phase of the national location: Chapel (Capela) of Santa Águeda September, the days in which the Baroque. contact - Sousela Luminous March (at night), the Battle It is worth mentioning the chancel’s Diocese of Lamego GPS: 41°18’38.67”N 8°18’45.23”W of Flowers (afternoon) and the ceiling where, in twenty-five pictures, tel.:+351 254 612 147

56 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 57 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL GREAT MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL IN large farm and a manor house. Within HONOUR OF SENHOR DOS AFLITOS this house there was a chapel where (OUR LORD OF THE AFFLICTED) Sunday Mass would take place, and from 24 to 28 july St. Ovidius was their patron saint. On neighbouring lands, on August 9, a Every year on the last weekend of July, festival in honour of the saint would the town of Lousada is filled with joy be held, preceded by a large cattle fair. and excitement with the Great Today, the festival and fair take place Municipal Festival in honour of Our Lord in Lugar do Mourinho, as the saint was of the Afflicted (Senhor dos Aflitos). transferred to the chapel built therein. The programme that attracts thousands of visitors every day includes location: Chapel (Capela) of St. Ovidius drums, “gigantones” (giants) and GPS: 41°16’46.62”N 8°15’10.21”W “cabeçudos” (big heads), an Arts Fair and Livestock Contest, a High Mass contact and the Majestic Procession, fanfare City Council of Lousada and music bands and artists, cycling tel.:+351 255 820 500 events and a Luminous March. On each e-mail: [email protected] evening there is fireworks and the www.cm-lousada.pt traditional “Vaca de Fogo” (Fire Cow), a rough inauguration of a courageous bovine animal that launches “bichas- FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA de-rabear” (wriggling fireworks) on the SENHORA APARECIDA (OUR LADY public, which results in hilarious scenes, APARECIDA) so appreciated by the people. On Sunday from August 13 to 15 evening, the Senhor dos Aflitos Hill is illuminated by thousands of candle Centennial festival that takes place in bowls, providing a unique spectacle. the parish of Torno, Senhora Aparecida village, on August 13, 14 and 15 in location: Avenida Senhor dos Aflitos - Silvares honour of Our Lady Aparecida. It is a GPS: 41°16’38.25”N 8°16’56.93”W festival of religious traditions that includes the important procession, which always takes place in the FESTIVAL OF SANTO OVÍDIO evening of the 14th, displaying the (ST. OVIDIUS) largest wooden platform in the August 9 country (recorded in the Guinness World Records), carried by over ninety In the parish of Aveleda, there was a men in a grand manifestation of faith fairly wealthy family that owned a and devotion.

58 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 59 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Sanctuary (Santuário) of Our Lady that leads the wooden platform with Aparecida - Torno St. towards the plateau of GPS: 41°17’26.12”N 8°12’35.74”W Redondelo. The outdoor mass is celebrated in the sanctuary and contact promises are fulfilled. The devotees Sanctuary (Santuário) of Our Lady Aparecida then enjoy the festival with food and tel.:+351 255 911 106 the sound of musical performances.

location: Parish of Vale da Porca MACEDO DE CAVALEIROS GPS: 41°31’39.80”N 6°52’40.64”W FESTA DE S. PEDRO (ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL) contact last week of June ST. AMBROSE’S FESTIVAL (SANTO City Council of Macedo de Cavaleiros AMBRÓSIO) tel.:+351 278 420 420 St. Peter is the patron saint of Macedo 4th Sunday of August e-mail: [email protected] de Cavaleiros, celebrated on June 29 www.cm-macedodecavaleiros.pt (municipal holiday) with Mass and a St. Ambrose was one of the four procession in His honour. Celebrated in Doctors of the (the hot weather and, in the past, in a time other three being St. Augustine, St. MAIA of abundant reaping. and St. Gregory the Great). He FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA During these festivals, the St. Peter’s was elected Bishop of and only DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY OF GOOD Fair is also of great importance, dating thereafter was he baptised. He is a HEALTH) back to the 40s, when bands of very revered saint. In fact, one of the 2nd Sunday after Easter reapers from all corners of the greatest religious festivals takes place country, would head towards Macedo in the Sanctuary of St. Ambrose, in the Our Lady of Good Health (Nossa de Cavaleiros - the municipality of the parish of Vale da Porca, on the plateau Senhora da Saúde) is the first of the Sickle as it was also known - in order of Redondelo, traditionally on the last great festivities in the city of Maia. to offer their services following a Sunday of August, gathering It is said that the devotion to Our Lady bidding process which was greatly thousands of people. In prehistoric of Good Health is a tradition in many disputed among the local farmers. times, before Christianity, people places in Portugal since the 16th Every night, the festival provides a would already flock to this site, as century, but others date it back to a great variety of shows and demonstrated by one Tumulus near time after 1646, when King D. João IV entertainment. the enclosure. - in the euphoria of the Restoration War It is a religious festival that attracts - crowned “Our Lady” in Vila Viçosa. location: Parque Municipal de Exposições many illustrious pilgrims, such as the Although there is no certainty, the (Municipal Exhibition Park) Bishop or the Duke of Bragança. It truth is that this tradition still endures GPS: 41°32´10.38”N 6°57’53.67”W consists of the Novena in honour of St. today, and every year after Easter a Ambrose, in the Main Church of Vale festival in honour of Our Lady of Good da Porca, as well as the procession Health is held in Gueifães, Maia.

60 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 61 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL only one that continues to shape this art are one of the most visited in the county Parish Church of Torrão; 21:30 of decorating the baskets with flowers. as well as one of the oldest. Procession of Our Lord of Steps Every place of the parish participates with These festivals are held for more than (Senhor dos Passos) from the Parish a basket, whose theme is chosen by the 300 years. Church of Torrão to Entre-os-Rios; restricted group that makes it. Friday: 15:00 Procession (Our Lord’s location: Monte Nossa Senhora da Hora - location: Lugar do Paço - Águas Santas Burial) from the Chapel of S. Nogueira and Silva Escura GPS: 41°12’19.26”N 8°35’4.15”W Sebastião to the Parish Church of GPS: 41°14’8.03”N 8°35’9.75”W Torrão and Celebration of the Lord’s contact Passion with the celebration of the City Council of Maia Word of God. FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO tel.:+351 229 408 643 BOM DESPACHO e-mail: [email protected] location: Rua Padre Augusto Carlos Fidalgo - week prior to the 2nd Sunday of July until the following cultura.maiadigital.pt Torrão Monday GPS: 41°04’58.3”N 8°17’21.4”W

The Municipality’s Festivals of Maia in MARCO DE CANAVESES contact Honour of Our Lady of Bom Despacho Endoenças (MAUNDY THURSDAY Parish Council of Alpendorada, Várzea and are a tradition in the city of Maia, PROCESSION) Torrão dating back to the mid-18th century, Holy Week (Thursday and Friday) tel.:+351 255 619 189 with an account dating from 1733. e-mail: [email protected] location: Largo da Igreja - Gueifães It is an expression of faith associated Celebration of the Holy Week. The Parish of Santa Clara do Torrão GPS: 41°13’3.66”N 8°36’11.79”W with cultural, sporting and recreational Maundy Thursday Procession tel.:+351 255 614 221 events that have the ability to build and (Endoenças) is held for more than 300 e-mail: [email protected] solidify a community that is supposed years, connecting the two river banks FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA to be united and guided by values of the final section of the Tâmega SENHORA DA HORA (OUR LADY conducive to the common good. river, on the confluence with the Douro FESTA DE S. JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S OF THE HOUR) river, between Torrão (Marco de FESTIVAL) 3rd Sunday of May location: Av. Visconde and Largo da Canaveses) and Entre-os-Rios June 24 Igreja (Penafiel) - a route that includes the One tradition that remains, year after year, GPS: 41°13’58.04”N 8°37’31.56”W Duarte Pacheco Bridge. Before the The St. John’s Festival of Alpendorada in the festivities in honour of Our Lady inauguration of this infrastructure in is a religious celebration with a strong of the Hour (Nossa Senhora da Hora), is 1941, the procession crossed the secular nature as it includes Popular the parade of “Canastras Floridas” FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DA Tâmega river in typical “rabelo” boats Parades on the night of the festival (large flower baskets). This originated in GUADALUPE (OUR LADY OF illuminated with candles, followed by - the highlight of the celebrations. the mid-18th century and it was once GUADALUPE) the sermon of Maundy Thursday and Tradition is fulfilled on the night of St. fulfilled by all the parishes of the 1st Sunday of September the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel John’s Festival, on the streets of municipality of Maia, extending to the of S. Sebastião. Alpendorada and Matos with the present day, but only in the parish of The festivals in honour of Our Lady of Programme of processions: Thursday: presence of thousands of people. The Nogueira and Silva Escura, which is the Guadalupe, patron saint of all diseases, 20:30 Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the Popular Parades provide a parade full

62 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 63 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL MARCO FESTIVALS Candlelight Procession (on the 7th) It is a high point amongst the festivals 2nd and 3rd weekend of July opens the festival in honour of Our of the municipality and the north of Lady, which takes the image of Our Portugal, extending throughout almost The Marco Festivals are the main Lady from the Sanctuary to the Parish three weeks of religious festivities and cultural event of the municipality and Church of Avessadas. recreational, cultural and sporting take place every year in July, On the 8th, with the presence of the activities. combining a set of cultural, religious, Stations of the Cross and a significant Thousands of lamps light up the social, wine and gastronomic number of parishes of Marco de festival space and the Church of Bom activities. For ten days, the City Canaveses, the morning procession Jesus de Matosinhos, whose altars are Council promotes a set of planned takes the image of Our Lady back to artistically decorated with beautiful activities that create opportunities of the Sanctuary of Castelinho. At 17:00, flowers. The temple (the work of leisure and entertainment, within an the Procession of Promises to Our Nasoni) holds sermons and Masses for intergenerational perspective and for Lady takes place, around Penedo do festivals and solemn ceremonies, and all tastes. The promotion and Clamor (outcrop). It is an ancient it is here that the grand Procession of dissemination of the municipality’s pilgrimage, especially undertaken by the Lord of Padrão (Good Jesus of of colour, joy and music that livens up potential, based on local roots and pregnant women and mothers Matosinhos) starts. Music bands the party. An unforgettable evening as fulfilled through the Handicrafts Fair accompanied by their children to fulfil enliven the streets and traditional the Popular Parades in Alpendorada and Food Fair, Social Fair and Wine Fair, their promises and offerings. bandstands; crafts are displayed, are already a reference in the St. has been a solid investment, thus legends and traditions are evoked; the John’s celebrations of the municipality boosting the heritage, natural location: Rua Nossa Senhora da Natividade Inventory of the Architectural and of Marco de Canaveses, for the beauty landscapes, the hospitality and GPS: 41°09’23.02”N 8° 10’16.05”W Religious Heritage of Matosinhos is and quality of the displayed costumes friendliness of the people of Marco de displayed, and fish and seafood recipe and choreographies. Canaveses. contact collections are disclosed. The parade is held on the night of June City Council of Marco de Canaveses Amongst the “Fogo de Bonecos” event 23 to 24. The celebrations also have a location: Municipal Garden tel.:+351 255 538 800 (a set of pyrotechnic devices that move gastronomic and musical component. GPS: 41°11’06.10”N 8° 08’52.63”W e-mail: [email protected] small figures representing the traditional The Parish Council is responsible for www.cm-marco-canaveses.pt occupations of the region) on Tuesday the general organisation of the event Sanctuary (Santuário) of Our Lady of afternoon and the fantastic fireworks and counts on the support of the City FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA Castelinho (Nossa Senhora do Castelinho) on Saturday night, there is also table Council of Marco de Canaveses. DO CASTELINHO (OUR LADY OF e-mail: [email protected] football, merry-go-rounds and dodgem CASTELINHO) www.senhoradocastelinho.pt cars, “farturas” (strips of fried dough), location: Av. Futebol Clube de Alpendorada - September 8 grilled sardines and “caldo verde” Alpendorada and Matos (typical soup) or - another reason to GPS: 41°05’17.6”N 8°14’57.1”W The Festival in honour of Our Lady of MATOSINHOS attend the festival - traditional Nativity of Castelinho is one of the FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SENHOR ceramics that can be purchased at the contact major religious events of Marco de DE MATOSINHOS (OUR LORD OF stalls in the Tableware Fair. Parish Council of Alpendorada, Várzea and Torrão Canaveses. MATOSINHOS) tel.:+351 255 619 189 Every year, thousands of people attend 51 days after Easter, beginning 2 weeks earlier location: Main streets of Matosinhos e-mail: [email protected] the festival and its processions. The GPS: 41°10´59.1”N 8° 40´59.4”W

64 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 65 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF MARTIR The Municipal holiday of Melgaço is S. SEBASTIÃO devoted to Our Lady of Ascension and (MARTYR ST. SEBASTIAN) celebrated, on the day before, with 2nd weekend of July popular musical entertainment. As the celebration coincides with that The Festival in honour of St. Sebastian is a of Our Lady of Oratory, on that day a festival of the fishermen of Matosinhos. Mass is celebrated in the Convent of A majestic procession leaves the Main Carvalhiças, followed by the figurative Church towards DocaPesca (fish market). procession towards the Chapel of Fishermen express all their devotion Senhora da Orada. towards their patron saint and request a plentiful and safe sea. They dress their location: Vila de Melgaço children in angels, carry the wooden GPS: 42°06’46”N 8°15’33”W platform with the image of St. Sebastian and adorn their boats so they and the sea can be blessed. On Sunday morning they CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL attend a High Mass at the Church of Bom Sunday after the Corpus Christi’s day Jesus de Matosinhos. The religious festival does not end without a variety This celebration takes place in the show and folklore groups, followed by a Convent of Carvalhiças with a Mass singular firework spectacle. followed by the procession of Corpus Christi through the main streets in location: Fish Market of Matosinhos town, adorned with colourful carpets GPS: N 41.183781 O -8.695921 of flowers. contact location: Town streets City Council of Matosinhos GPS: 42°06’46”N 8°15’33”W tel.:+351 229 390 900 e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-matosinhos.pt MARCHAS DE SÃO JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S PARADES) Saturday following St. John’s Day MELGAÇO FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA To celebrate St. John’s Day, Melgaço SENHORA DA ASCENSÃO (OUR LADY offers locals and visitors the Popular OF ASCENSION) AND NOSSA and Night Parades of St. John - with SENHORA DA ORADA (OUR LADY OF several themes and performed by the ORATORY) schools and associations of the 40 days after Easter, on a Thursday municipality.

66 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 67 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL The parade that runs through the streets a symbol of the municipality. In this procession around the chapel - the It is a religious festival, and the in town takes place between Calçada and event, we can attend the horse and highlight of the festivities. This is one Eucharist takes place in the Cathedral of Hermenegildo Solheiro Square, where donkey races, see the cattle for sale of the many festivals that take place in Miranda do Douro, followed by a each participating group presents their and enjoy music and folklore groups, the municipality of Miranda do Douro. majestic procession. At night, the folk chosen theme, along with their elaborate handicraft exhibitions, local cuisine and What makes it singular is the fact that festival takes place, followed by a costumes and choreography. traditional products that entertain the it takes place at the border with , firework spectacle. town and the entire municipality acquiring thus an international nature. location: Largo Hermenegildo Solheiro during the first week of December. location: Miranda do Douro GPS: 42°06’46”N 8°15’33”W During these nine days of celebration, location: Sanctuary (Santuário) of Nossa GPS: N 41.493.583 O -6.273684 take the time to taste the traditional Senhora da Luz pork dish “marrã”, the delight of GPS: N 41.633022 O -6.254970 ST. BENEDICT’S FESTIVAL visitors and one of the town’s main FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO (SÃO BENTO) attraction. NASO (OUR LADY OF NASO) July 11 FESTIVAL OF THE HOLY TRINITY from 6 to 8 September location: Avenida Conselheiro José Maria (SANTÍSSIMA TRINDADE) Mass celebration in the Convent of Fiães, Alpoim May 31 The Festival of Our Lady of Naso gathers followed by a festive picnic traditionally GPS: N 41.158721 O -7.891852 thousands of people every year from all held in the surroundings of the Convent of It is a religious festival where, after the villages of the Mirandese Plateau, S. Bento (St. Benedict). contact the Eucharist, the most highlight considered one of the main celebrations City Council of Mesão Frio moments take place. The youth, of the region. In past times, the fact that location: Parish of Fiães tel.:+351 254 890 100/933 901 018 especially boys, walk through the it was regarded as a privileged moment GPS: 42°06’14.62”N 8°12’40.19”W e-mail: [email protected] villages in groups holding large for all to gather, a great fair was held www.cm-mesaofrio.pt branches of trees, and then revolve that lasted several days. In fact, contact around the chapel, shouting hurrahs. September 6 was reserved for the buying City Council of Melgaço Often, these groups would clash with and selling of donkeys (a tradition that tel.:+351 251 410 100 MIRANDA DO DOURO each other. In the early 20th century, still remains to the present day). On the e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA there were major disputes, since the 7th and 8th, the general trade fair takes www.cm-melgaco.pt SENHORA DA LUZ disagreements that would arise over place, and on the 8th the Outdoor Mass in (OUR LADY OF THE CANDLES) the years were postponed for the honour of Our Lady of Naso is celebrated. last weekend of April Festival of the Holy Trinity. MESÃO FRIO location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa ST. ANDREW’S FESTIVAL On the last Sunday of April, the location: Santuário da Santíssima Trindade Senhora do Naso (SANTO ANDRÉ) festival in honour of Our Lady of the (Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity) GPS: N 41.588229 O -6.353858 from 30 November to 8 December Candles (Senhora da Luz) is celebrated GPS: N 41.422377 O -6.409058 in Constantim, Miranda do Douro. A contact From 30 November to 8 December, Mesão religious celebration associated with City Council of Miranda do Douro Frio honours St. Andrew, which attracts commerce as it includes an FESTIVAL OF SANTA BÁRBARA tel.:+351 273 430 020 thousands of visitors every year. It is a international trade fair. An Outdoor (ST. BARBARA) e-mail: [email protected] famous festival throughout the region and Mass is celebrated, followed by a 3rd weekend of August www.cm-mdouro.pt

68 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 69 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL MIRANDELA Procession in honour of Our Lady of location: Torre de Dona Chama BOYS’ FESTIVAL OF VALE DE Perpetual Help is the most important GPS: 41°39´22.31”N 7°07´33.88”W SALGUEIRO IN HONOUR OF event for the devotees of the patron ST. STEPHEN (SANTO ESTÊVÃO) saint. Entertainment includes several contact Three Kings Day musical performances, the Luminous Parish Council of Torre de D. Chama March, the drums’ night and culminates tel.:+351 278 312 131 On the Boys’ Festival, in honour of St. in a firework spectacle. The history of Stephen, there is the figure of a King this festival dates back to 20 July bearing a borrowed golden crown. 1794, when the “Juíz de Fora” MOGADOURO During the festival, children are (magistrate appointed from outside the FESTA DE SANTA ANA allowed to smoke while roaming the municipality by the King of Portugal), (ST. ANNE‘S FESTIVAL) streets. The king runs through the António Pinto Ribeiro de Castro, 1st weekend of July village with a group of bagpipers and ordered the organization of a festival in distributes lupins and wine in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Religious ceremony of invocation to St. calabashes, receiving in return a Anne, Mary’s mother. The 26th of July donation for the festival. In the square location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa is dedicated to St. Anne and St. people dance the “murinheira” Senhora do Amparo Joachim, parents of Mary. The festival (traditional dance) to the sound of GPS: 41°29´02,06”N 7°11`13,85”W in Mogadouro is celebrated on the first bagpipes and drums. The festival ends Sunday of July. The Small Chapel of with the celebration of Mass and the contact Santa Ana is a place of pilgrimage at crown is placed on another villager. Confraria de Nossa Senhora do Amparo least once a year, and it is considered, tel.:+351 278 248 126 within its more pagan nature, the location: Vale de Salgueiro “festival of the unmarried”. GPS: 41°35´18.46”N 7°14´06.28”W FESTIVAL OF SANTO ESTÊVÃO location: Rua Santa Ana contact (ST. STEPHEN) AND THE GPS: 41°20’13.00”N 6°43’25.57”W Parish Council of Vale de Salgueiro “CARETOS” tel.:+351 913 676 264/964 457 481 25 and 26 December contact Comissão de Festas da Santa Ana On the 25th the events “Deitar os tel.: +351 279 340 100 CITY FESTIVITIES AND FESTIVAL Jogos à Praça”, “Roubar dos Burros” e-mail: [email protected] IN HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA and “A Fogueira” take place, while on www.mogadouro.pt DO AMPARO (OUR LADY OF the 26th the “A passagem da PERPETUAL HELP) Ciganada” or “As Madamas” are held. from July 25 until the 1st Sunday of August Boys dress as girls and girls dress as FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA boys, and the “Bênção do Pão” and DO CAMINHO (OUR LADY OF THE The City Festivities and the Festival of “Correr a Mourisca” take place, WAY) Our Lady of Perpetual Help have a representing the struggle between last weekend of August religious and popular nature. The Christians and Moors.

70 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 71 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL A plan of the Small Chapel of Our contact Lady of the Way (Nosse Senhora do Parish Council of Azinhoso Caminho) already existed in 1762 and, tel.:+351 279 342 221 at the time, it was located outside the town cluster, providing pilgrims with a vast space for the festival and where MOIMENTA DA BEIRA a market would take place. The FESTIVAL OF S. TORCATO (ST. festival in honour of Our Lady of the TORQUATUS) Way includes a very old pilgrimage. 4th Sunday after Easter The cultural dynamics of Mogadouro in the second half of the 19th century The Festival of St. Torquatus is the would promote the establishment of largest and the most famous festival the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Way. in the municipality. Every year, thousands of pilgrims attend this location: Avenida Nossa Senhora do Caminho festival due to its tradition. GPS: 41°20’32.70”N 6°42’41.66”W The devotees say their prayers and make their requests, and it is tradition contact to place the Saint’s hat (a three- Comissão de Festas de Nossa Senhora do cornered hat) on the head of the Caminho devotees that kneel next to the altar www.senhoradocaminho.com of the sacred image. Through the hat, St. Torquatus answers their prayers and the people believe that the AZINHOSO FESTIVAL gesture is “miraculous”. 1st weekend of September As a way to express their gratitude, the pilgrims make the pilgrimage around The Azinhoso Festival was instituted the church, the chapel and inside it. by King D. Dinis during his visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carrasco location: Sanctuary (Santuário) of S. Torcato (Nossa Senhora do Carrasco) or Our - Cabaços Lady of Azinhoso (Nossa Senhora do GPS: 41°1’32.79”N 7°34’23.00”W Azinhoso). It was the year 1287 when, according to legend, the acclaimed royal visit FESTA DE S. JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S bestowed this honour on the peaceful FESTIVAL) population of the parish of Azinhoso. from June 6 to 24 location: Azinhoso Popular festival with a varied GPS: 41°23’5.19”N 6°41’7.65”W programme, which includes

72 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 73 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL exhibitions, music, concerts, crafts, The Festival of Our Lady of the Roses among other activities. On the 24th, (Senhora da Rosa) is one of the there is a majestic and sublime festivities most cherished by the procession in honour of the patron community of Monção. The Youth saint, with flower-covered wooden Commission is responsible for the platforms and hundreds of biblical festival’s programme. On Saturday figures. These are taken through the night, starting at 9:30 pm, the Solemn procession’s path, step by step, from Mass is celebrated at the Church of the Main Church to the streets and Mercy (Igreja da Misericórdia), narrow streets in town and returning followed by the Candlelight once more to the Main Church, more Procession through the main arteries than two hours later. Parades march of town, with the image of Our Lady of along the main street in town, always plenty of entertainment and many Roses being transported by young to the rhythm of fanfare and the Spanish and Portuguese pilgrims, who people. music bands. People enjoy this will brighten their spirits in this At midnight, the locals begin to colourful, cheerful, lively and charming village, two kilometres away decorate the streets of the historical representative parade of the local from town, after getting tired of the centre. The officials of the ways and customs. adoration of Easter. municipality, with the help of various After fulfilling their promises, the elements of a Galician association of location: Moimenta da Beira pilgrims will settle here and there, in Ponteareas, “decorate” Camões GPS: 40°58’50.1”N 7°36’50.0”W the magnificent oak grove that Square. surrounds the chapel and savour the contact delicious packed meals. location: Praça Deu-La-Deu City Council of Moimenta da Beira The Pilgrimage of Our Lady of the GPS: N 42.078627 O -8.481692 tel.:+351 254 520 070 Head is one of the largest and most e-mail: [email protected] popular festivals in the municipality. www.cm-moimenta.pt Corpus Christi Festival - location: Lugar de Bouças - Cortes Coca’s Feast GPS: N 42.068997 O -8.52188 weekend after the Corpus Christi holiday MONÇÃO FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA contact Every year, Monção celebrates the SENHORA DA CABEÇA (OUR LADY Festival Commission Corpus Christi Festival - the “Coca’s OF THE HEAD) tel.:+351 938 843 857 Feast”. from Easter Sunday to Tuesday All the Crosses and Banners of the parishes that compose the The pilgrimage of Our Lady of the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA archpriesthood of Monção participate Head (Nossa Senhora da Cabeça) DA ROSA (OUR LADY OF THE in the procession, with the respective takes place every year on Tuesday ROSES) Brotherhoods. After the usual route, after Easter. This is a festival with 2nd Sunday of May the procession returns to the Main

74 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 75 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Church and the people head towards Souto, where the tournament between good and evil will take place. The people gather around while the knight St. George, who represents Good, and the dragon known as Coca, which represents Evil, take positions. The tournament will last until the active participants are tired or the skill of St. George prevails, which is translated in the blows inflicted upon the Coca. Emigrant, on Monday, around 11:00 location: Praça Deu-La-Deu and Souto am. The mutual greeting and farewell GPS: N 42.078627 O -8.481692; of the bands, after the Sunday N 42.076346 O -8.478464 procession, is also noteworthy.

location: Praça Deu-La-Deu FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA GPS: N 42.078305 O -8.481237 SENHORA DA DORES (OUR LADY OF SORROWS) contact 3rd weekend of August City Council of Monção tel.:+351 251 649 013 The Festival of the Virgin of Sorrows, e-mail: [email protected] one of the most authentic and genuine www.cm-moncao.pt festivals of the Alto Minho, takes place between August 15 and 19, with five days of worshipping the image of MONDIM DE BASTO Our Lady and various moments of NIGHT of the pilgrims OF entertainment, with a strong SANTIAGO traditional, ethnographic and festive night of July 24 to 25 component. The highlights of the festival, which The night of July 24 was chosen by gather thousands of people in the the City Council to set the Night of the streets and balconies of the historical Pilgrims of Santiago, in an attempt to centre, are the Solemn Procession in recover the ancestral festival. honour of the Virgin of Sorrows on Nowadays, it is one of the main events Sunday, around 6:00 pm, and the of the festival of the municipality of Solemn Procession in honour of the Mondim de Basto.

76 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 77 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL You only need to see them to understand return home, singing, dancing and festivity lasts for several days, with a it: beautiful young girls with their gold partying along the way. programme filled with recreational earrings and picnic baskets on their Its existence is probably related to the shows and ethnographic and cultural heads, the men wearing vests, with old routes of the pilgrims who also went events. horse chains and a three-cornered hat on a pilgrimage to Santiago de location: Montalegre with the stamp of Santiago. Folly, music Compostela. GPS: 41˚49’22.55”N 7˚48’26.81”W and a throng of people accompany the picnic baskets along the street, with location: Senhora da Graça - Mondim de Basto genuine delicacies and Basto’s vinho GPS: 41°24’59.01”N 7°54’56.35”W SENHORA DO PRANTO (OUR LADY verde (wine). There are popular dances OF TEARS) until the wee hours of the morning. contact August 15 Senhora da Graça location: Historical Centre - Municipal Garden tel.:+351 255 381 404 The festival in honour of Our Lady of MURÇA GPS: 41°24’40.17”N 7°57’12.02”W e-mail: [email protected] Tears (Senhora do Pranto) is 8 MAY FESTIVAL - MUNICIPAL www.senhoradagraca.pt celebrated on August 15, the day in HOLIDAY contact which “the Lady” is carried during a long from May 8 to 10 City Council of Basto and flowery procession. Salto has tel.: +351 255 389 300 MONTALEGRE always been a land of Marian traditions The Charter that was granted to this e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVAL OF SENHOR DA PIEDADE and worship, as the documents land of Murça in 1224 by King D. Sancho www.municipio.mondimdebasto.pt (OUR LORD OF PITY) referring to the parish attest. II is celebrated on this date. The 1st weekend of August Believers from all over the parish visit religious celebrations include a Mass in Santa Maria de Salto, as well as the Main Church. As for the festival’s PILGRIMAGE OF SANTIAGO The festival of Our Lord of Pity (Senhora pilgrims from the neighbouring great cultural activity, the performances July 25 da Piedade) takes place every year on municipalities of Minho and Boticas. of folklore groups, concertinas and the first Sunday of August. It begins According to oral tradition, due to the traditional songs are noteworthy. The The pilgrimage of Santiago, an ancient with a procession, which starts in the anticlerical reforms of the beginnings groups of Portuguese popular music, tradition, marks Mondim de Basto and town centre and ends in the chapel with of the Republic the village became which cannot be forgotten, animate the top of Our Lady of Grace (Nossa the name of the patron saint. According known only as Salto. Nowadays, is still the nights of this town. Senhora da Graça) as the epicentre of to tradition, on this day, all the families know as (town of) Salto. the entire region. The payment of annual of Montalegre have lunch in the fields location: Parish of Murça promises continues to be the great surrounding the chapel: these are known location: Parish of Salto GPS: 41°40’81”N 7°45’37”W motivation of the pilgrims. They arrive as the “barrosãs snacks”, a good reason GPS: 41˚38’21.29”N 7˚56’43.43”W at night on foot, excited by the music for a cordial and large fraternization. In and the bucolic singing of the women of the middle of the afternoon, the always contact VILA DE MURÇA FESTIVAL IN Basto. awaited “arrival of the oxen” takes place City Council of Montalegre HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA At dawn, they climb the sacred hill to and at night, there is a feast with the tel.:+351 276 510 200 DOS AFLITOS (OUR LADY OF THE attend the religious and profane firework show. e-mail: [email protected] AFFLICTED) AND S. DOMINGOS celebrations. Due to the fact that it is considered the www.cm-montalegre.pt (ST. DOMINIC) Through ancient routes and roads, they municipality’s festival, the Lord of Pity’s 2nd weekend of July

78 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 79 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL It is the largest festival of the “living museum” of the structures used municipality of Murça, held in honour to make the bread and for the milling of of Our Lady of the Afflicted and St. cereals is located nearby. In addition to Dominic. The majestic procession in being a pleasant place and appealing which dozens of wooden platforms for tourists, the park is also considered are carried on shoulders up to S. a didactic and knowledge space. Domingos Hill is the highlight of the celebrations. For two days, people location: Largo da Igreja - Ul from all over the region come to GPS: N 40.81343 O -8.531102 Murça to celebrate the memory of this people, in a mixture between the contact religious, traditional and pagan União das Freguesias de Oliveira de Azeméis, traditions. Santiago de Riba-Ul contact Macinhata da Seixa, Madail and Ul Parish of Loureiro location: Parish of Murça tel.:+351 256 674 181 tel.:+351 256 692 000 GPS: 41°40’81”N 7°45’37”W e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.junta-freg-loureiro.com contact City Council of Murça EASTER FESTIVAL tel.:+351 250 510 120 Monday after Easter LA SALETTE FESTIVALS e-mail: [email protected] 1st Sunday until the 2nd Monday of August www.cm-murca.pt The Easter Festival, also known as “Saltar o Rêgo”, is a centuries-old The festival begins with a large tradition that attracts thousands of Candlelight Procession, with the OLIVEIRA DE AZEMÉIS people. image of FESTA DE SÃO BRAZ From horse races to the performance (unique), being taken from the Chapel (ST. BLAISE FESTIVAL) of the Music Band of Loureiro, to the of La Salette to the Main Church. It February 2 and 3 numerous taverns and street vendors, ends with the “Procession of Triumph”, the range of entertainment options is which brings together the The St. Blaise Festival, which has been varied. The origin of this pilgrimage Brotherhoods from all the parishes taken place for decades, brings many remains obscure, but it is thought to from the Vicar-General of Oliveira de foreigners who enjoy the festival and have begun with a simple joke: a Azeméis, transporting the image along the cuisine to the parish of Ul. donkey jumping over a furrow with the reverse route, back to the chapel. Dedicated to the patron of those water, and which later turned into a During the week there is a varied suffering from throat ailments, the race of horses with rounds, as it still programme of activities. festival takes place in the middle of happens nowadays. winter in order to promote the location: Parque de La Salette traditions of the land and the art of location: Largo da Alumieira - Loureiro GPS: N 40.842.755 O -8.465.501 hospitality. The Mill Thematic Park, a GPS: N 40.812136 O -8.532277

80 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 81 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL Comissão de Festas de Nª Sª de La Salette from June 5 to 7 tel.:+351 256 688 082 e-mail: [email protected] The Corpus Christi Festival and the www.lasalette.pt festival of the city of Paços de Ferreira attracts numerous visitors to the municipality to watch the procession. SANTA LUZIA’S FESTIVAL December 13 location: city centre of Freamunde

At the Festival in honour of St. Luzia, a large number of pilgrims and SEBASTIANAS foreigners visit Cucujães, and the The festivities in honour of St. Blaise 2nd weekend of July place and chapel with the same name. lead hundreds of people to this area Patron Saint of those with sight of Frazão, which bears the same In Portugal, the Sebastianas are the problems, this festival begins with the name. During the celebration days, it festivities of the city of Freamunde procession where the Cachujanense is possible to see many people, from and are celebrated in honour of St. Philharmonic Band is present. young people to the elderly, who still Sebastian (São Sebastião). It is an One of the highlights of this festival is remember the grandeur of the annual festival that always takes the typical “jeropiga” (alcoholic drink), festival of other times. The festival place on the second weekend of July. which can be bought at a small fair lasts two days. The 2nd of February This festival, with over 115 years of where the cuisine is also present, with is the day of Our Lady of the history, kept increasing its importance smoked meats, sweet twist bread and Lanterns while February 3th is the and size. Initially, the Festival in other traditional sweets. day of St. Blaise. honour of St. Sebastian had only a As in all popular and religious events, religious element, but over the years location: Santa Luzia - Cucujães there are certain traditions that the festival evolved and became the GPS: N 40.873103 O -8.511143 characterize them. St. Blaise is no Sebastianas that we now know. exception and, although it is virtually Nowadays, the Sebastianas are a contact no longer practised, the tradition of mixture between a sacred and profane Parish Council of Cucujães throwing confetti at everyone, festival, with a strong cultural and tel.:+351 256 890 210 similar to those seen during Carnival, entertainment component, without e-mail: [email protected] still endures. A few dozens of years ever losing its popular roots. ago, the streets where the festival Over the last few years, it has used to take place were expected to increasingly received larger groups of PAÇOS DE FERREIRA get completely covered with these visitors, thus becoming a tourist FESTA DE S. BRÁS confetti. attraction with more than 120 (ST. BLAISE FESTIVAL) thousand visitors. February 3 location: City Centre of Freamunde location: City centre of Feamunde

82 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 83 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL SANTA LUZIA’S FESTIVAL PAREDES of samba known as “Marchas Luminosas” began with a rural tradition. It is said December 13 CITY OF REBORDOSA AND (Luminous Marches). that at a certain time of the year the S. MIGUEL FESTIVAL farmers would go to the temple of the The Festival of St. Luzia takes place at 1st Sunday of July location: City Park of Paredes saint and asked for fertility for their the same time as the Capon Fair GPS: N 41.209078 O -8.325009 lands and good harvests. This church (December 13, in Freamunde). It is a Festival with a religious element, a was built in the 18th century. The festival that attracts many visitors Mass, a Solemn Procession and three contact people say that “Our Lady of Chãos, looking for the famous Capon of processions of its three chapels. The City Council of Paredes takes the food and offers the evenings” Freamunde, considered one of the festival also has a recreational aspect. tel.:+351 255 788 975 (the saying refers to the period when unique delicacies of Portugal. Its highlights are the Choirs’ Meeting, e-mail: [email protected] the days start getting shorter and the The capon received the attention of the Folklore Festival, the popular www.cm-paredes.pt nights longer). The festival is known for several authors, such as Gil Vicente, music shows and the firework display. the grand auction held on August 15 D. Francisco Manuel de Melo, Camilo and the traditional sale of the “Casca Castelo Branco and Eça de Queirós, location: Alameda do Salvador FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF THE de Carvalho” melons. In the past, a fair who mentioned it in their works as GPS: N 41.222247 O -8.411417 PATRON SALVADOR DE LORDELO with chickens and natural products of “Manjar dos Reis” (the Food of Kings). last Sunday of July the land also took place, but eventually It is cooked Freamunde-style and it contact disappeared. As for the religious collects famous admirers, being the Parish Council of Lordelo These are the largest festivals of the aspect, the festival begins on August 13th the day of the famous Capon tel.:+351 224 443 714 parish, with the celebration of a Solemn 30 with novenas and sermons and ends Festival. e-mail: [email protected] Mass and a procession. As for the on September 7. On that day, at night, As the popular Portuguese proverb www.cm-paredes.pt entertainment, groups of popular artists, there is a Portuguese music show. says: “From the capon, take the leg folklore groups and music bands take part On the 8th, the Festival Mass is and from chicken, the breast”, the in the festival. At the end, there is a celebrated with all the priests of this writer Camilo Castelo Branco, author CITY OF PAREDES FESTIVAL IN firework show. parish present. In the afternoon, there of Amor de Perdição [Doomed Love HONOUR OF THE DIVINE SAVIOUR is a procession in honour of the patron (1862)], advised people to dress it July 17 to 20 location: Praça da Comunidade saint. Afterwards, there is a feast at with old brandy and take it to table GPS: N 41.222185 O -8.411419 night with the participation of music when the skin was perfectly crisp. Try Festival with a religious and recreational bands. At the end, a firework display is it... you will not regret it. including a fire display. contact held, together with the “vacas de fogo” The city and municipality’s Festivals in Parish Council of Rebordosa (fire cows). location: City centre of Freamunde honour of the Divine Saviour (Divino tel.:+351 224 155 303 / www.jf-rebordosa.pt Salvador) have a vast cultural and location: Largo da Senhora dos Chãos contact religious programme. The Solemn GPS: N 41.227057 O -8.313316 City Council of Paços de Ferreira Mass and the majestic Procession in FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DOS tel.:+351 255 860 700 honour of the Divine Saviour are part CHÃOS (OUR LADY OF CHÃOS) contact e-mail: [email protected] of the religious programme. The from September 7 to 8 Parish Council of Paredes www.cm-pacosdeferreira.pt cultural programme includes tel.:+351 255 781 220 entertainment and folklore groups, as This is an ancient festival. The cult of Our e-mail: [email protected] well as a parade of floats and schools Lady of Chãos (Nossa Senhora dos Chãos) www.cm-paredes.pt

84 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 85 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL PAREDES DE COURA In this municipality, during the FESTIVAL OF S. BENTO DA PORTA weekend that precedes or comes after ABERTA (ST. BENEDICT OF THE August 10 (Day of the Municipality), OPEN DOOR) the Festivals of the municipality are 2nd weekend of July held in honour of St. Anthony and Our Lady of Sorrows, where the religious Legend has it that, after the and the profane merge into a unique completion of the Chapel of S. entertainment event. Benedict, the saint was placed on the The procession, the highlight of the altar and the next day the chapel’s religious festivities, attracts believers door was found open. The door was and the feast, with its dancing music closed once again, but it always groups brings joy to the surroundings. reappeared open. FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO People dance until fatigue tells them The Fraternity then decided to remove LIVRAMENTO (OUR LADY OF is time to rest. the wooden door and replace it with a LIVRAMENTO) The concertinas can be heard lacy iron door, so the saint could look last weekend of July everywhere, and here and there are outside, hence the designation of St. “cantares ao desafio” (singing Benedict of the Open Door. It is one of For many years, for the people of challenges) and the rumbling and the the festivals of the municipality of Paredes de Coura and the bordering glow of the fireworks, illuminating the Paredes de Coura with the highest municipalities, Our Lady of Livramento sky. number of believers. The miraculous (Nossa Senhora do Livramento Festival powers attributed to this saint who was the favourite place for the location: Paredes de Coura “removes” people’s blackheads and payment of promises or for “saving” GPS: 41°55’28,29”N 8°35’10,61”W warts attract the people from Paredes young men from having to enlist in the de Coura and from the neighbouring military service or going Overseas. contact municipalities. Nowadays, the saint is called upon to City Council of Paredes de Coura “deliver” people from the most varied tel.: +351 251 780 100 location: S. Bento - Cossourado evils. e-mail: [email protected] GPS: 41°55’55,21”N 8°37’43,15”W www.cm-paredes-coura.pt location: Outeiro - Formariz contact GPS: 41°55’28,26”N 8°35’10,61”W S. Bento PENAFIEL tel.:+351 253 390 180 ENDOENÇAS FESTIVAL e-mail: [email protected] FESTIVALS OF THE MUNICIPALITY Holy Thursday before Easter www.sbento.pt/festas.php IN HONOUR OF SANTO ANTÓNIO (ST. ANTHONY) AND NOSSA The Endoenças Festival is an unusual SENHORA DAS DORES (OUR LADY festival, which takes place in Entre- OF SORROWS) os-Rios, on Holy Thursday. weekend before or after August 10 This Holy Week ceremony, which was

86 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 87 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL held practically everywhere in Europe, ST. MARTIN’S FESTIVAL has a unique landscape, since the night (S. MARTINHO) procession of the Encounter 10 to 20 November (Encontro) must cross the Tâmega river, near the mouth of the Douro, The annual Festival and Fair of St. which until the middle of the 20th Martin (S. Martinho) in November is a century was only made by boat. cheerful time to visit Penafiel. All the streets are crowded with people and location: Parish of Eja filled with vendors, selling the most GPS: N 41.051453 O -8.172853 varied goods. It was the perfect time to buy what the household needed for the entire CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL year, to sell surpluses, to pay the rural July 4 to 7 employees, to negotiate animals (cattle and horses) and, above all, to Among the famous festivals and taste the new wine. pilgrimages of Penafiel, the Corpus Christi Festival is still celebrated in location: Penafiel the old fashion way (since the 16th GPS: 41°12’24.610”N 8°17’0.924”W century), in the streets, the day before “Cavalhada”, the “Serpe” and the contact Handicraft Feast, which with the City Council of Penafiel “Estado de S. Jorge” and the “Boi tel.:+351 255 710 700 Bento” will take part in the solemn www.cm-penafiel.pt procession. Since the end of the 19th century, the Parade of the little Lamb is a parade PENEDONO of ornamented animals, one for each PILGRIMAGE TO NOSSA SENHORA group of elementary school students, DA CABEÇA (OUR LADY OF THE who festively offer it to their teacher HEAD) as a celebration of the end of the last weekend of March school year, a memory of the payment made by the parents from other times, The Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the before teaching was made public. The Head takes place in the chapel bearing Parade also goes through the city the the same name. Thousands of pilgrims day before. come here, essentially searching for the cure for what torments their heads. location: Penafiel It has Eucharistic celebrations, GPS: 41°12’24.610”N 8°17’0.924”W processions during the day and

88 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 89 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL candlelight processions, a fair and along the streets of the village, in a PESO DA RÉGUA much entertainment. The Festival of mixture of challenge and, at the same FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA the Cattle on Sunday afternoon is one time, conviviality. SENHORA DO SOCORRO of the highlights of this festival. location: Rua Eiras de S. Pedro (OUR LADY OF HELP) Shepherds take their herds, usually GPS: N 40.986563 O -7.396566 from August 1 to 16 dressed in “colourful wool fringes”, and go round the chapel asking for It is in August that the Festivals in luck for their flocks and abundance of ROMARIA DE SANTA EUFÉMIA honour of Our Lady of Help - Douro agricultural products. (ST. EUPHEMIA’S FESTIVAL) Festival - take place. The festivities September 15 to 16 begin with the Francesinhas Festival in location: Capela da Senhora da Cabeça the first week of August, which GPS: N 40.917706 O -7.382778 This is a great festival, where people gathers in the same event cuisine and from Beira and Douro come to fulfil music; the highlight of Socorro contact their promises, shop at the annual fair Festival is on the night of August 14 in City Council of Penedono and savour the famous “marrã” meat the upper part of the city, where tel.:+351 254 508 174 in the Festival of St. Euphemia. thousands of people gather in a e-mail: [email protected] The first chapel dedicated to St. merrymaking spirit; the Procession of www.cm-penedono.pt Euphemia (Santa Eufémia) in Triumph distinguishes itself as the Penedono was built at the beginning of highlight of the festivities and the the 16th century and its cult quickly River Feast rivals with the country’s FESTA DE S. PEDRO (ST. PETER’S spread. In 1758, it was already a place best feasts. FESTIVAL) visited by large numbers of people and June 29 one of the greatest devotions in the location: Peso da Régua area. Nowadays, the Sanctuary of St. GPS: N 41.1622785 O -7.791860 Municipal Holiday. It is on this day Euphemia is prepared to welcome that all the parishes of the thousands of pilgrims and tourists municipality meet for the throughout the year. ASCENSION FESTIAL Ethnographic Parade. Ascension Thursday and the following weekend The day starts very early with the location: Estrada de Santa Eufémia annual fair, followed by the Eucharist GPS: N 40.999789 O -7.407672 The Festival of the Ascension takes and the Procession. However, one of place forty days after Easter Sunday the highlights is, without a doubt, the contact on the Ascension Thursday and Ethnographic Parade, where all the Santuário de Santa Eufémia celebrates the Ascension of Jesus participants of the municipality, parish tel.:+351 254 505 093 Christ into Heaven after His councils and associations take part in e-mail: [email protected] Resurrection. the parade. In the parade, each one www.santaeufemiapenedono.com In Godim, the religious festival tries to portray a tradition, histories merges with the popular traditions, and stories, or something that being celebrated with the characterizes them. People celebrate performances of folklore groups, with

90 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 91 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL “desgarradas” (impromptu songs), FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA the merrymaking throughout night. dancing and singing and a fair of SENHORA DA PAZ (OUR LADY OF The groups that gather around each traditional products in which the PEACE) other are the protagonists of the night, cheese is king. For this reason, this May 24 which is dedicated to popular dances festival is also known as the Cheese and songs. Along with the concertinas, Festival. Religious festival in honour of the the drums, the “cavaquinhos” (ukeleles) apparitions of Our Lady that occurred and other traditional instruments, the location: Godim in Barral, in Vila Chã S. João, in 1917. “rusgas” come together, parading in the GPS: 41°10’16.83”N 7°48’11.79”W streets and forming circles of music location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa players, with dancing and impromptu contact Senhora da Paz - Barral singing till dawn. City Council of Peso da Régua GPS: N 41.797084 O -8.343865 tel.:+351 254 320 230 location: Ponte da Barca groups, the popular entertainment e-mail: [email protected] contact: GPS: 41°48’27.33”N 8°25’0.65”W during the Saturday feast and the www.cm-pesoregua.pt Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Paz majestic procession on Sunday. tel.:+351 936 507 663/912 577 800 contact e-mail: [email protected] Town Council of Ponte da Barca location: Avenida de Nosso Senhor do Socorro PONTE DA BARCA tel.:+351 258 480 180 - Labruja FESTA DE SANTA RITA e-mail: [email protected] / www.cmpb.pt GPS: 41°50’30,330”N 8°35’36,642”W (ST. RITA’S FESTIVAL) ROMARIA DE S. BARTOLOMEU 40 days after Easter (ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S FESTIVAL) August 19 to 24 PONTE DE LIMA FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA BOA The Festival in honour of St. Rita takes FESTIVAL OF SENHOR DO MORTE (OUR LADY OF THE GOOD place 40 days after Easter, in an 18th Considered by many as the most SOCORRO (OUR LORD OF HELP) DEATH) century sanctuary built in Her honour. genuine festival of the Alto Minho, St. 1st weekend of July last weekend of July This is one of the most important Bartholomew (S. Bartolomeu) is one festivities in the municipality. of the most important calling cards of The Sanctuary of Our Lord of Help These are days of celebration, enjoyed Ponte da Barca. For six days, the town (Senhor do Socorro) was built in 1773. by those who usually do not miss the location: Santa Rita - Vila Nova de Muía passionately embraces the most It has one single nave, a main chapel chance to attend the various moments GPS: N 41.800424 O -8.392422 genuine traditions, ways and customs with a skylight and a Rococo façade of the festival’s programme. of this region. The cuisine, the folklore, with two towers. Here people ask for help in death, but life contact the small taverns, the handicrafts, the It has an imposing staircase flanked is also celebrated, with music, dancing Town Council of Ponte da Barca Linen Fair, among many other events, by a wall filled with biblical figures and firework rockets. The Cattle Fair tel.:+351 258 480 180 gain space and importance during the and angels. The traditional festival takes place on Saturday morning. In the e-mail: [email protected] festival. However, the great event of takes place on the first weekend of afternoon, you can watch the www.cmpb.pt the festival happens on the night of July, bringing together pilgrims and performances of the music bands, and at the 23rd with the parade and the foreigners who come together to enjoy night, there are popular dances and a “Rusgas” performances in the streets, the festival: the drums announcing the firework show. The procession on which attract the crowds and prolong festival, the music bands, the folklore Sunday is the highlight of this festival.

92 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 93 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Rua do Santuário da Senhora da Boa In addition to music, folklore and firework Morte - Correlhã shows, there is also space for livestock GPS: 41°44’16,320”N 8°36’9,408”W contests, races of “garranos” (small horses), the Ethnographic Parade, the Historical Parade, music bands, FESTIVAL OF SENHOR DA SAÚDE “gigantones” (giants) and “cabeçudos” (OUR LORD OF GOOD HEALTH) (big heads), groups of drums and the 1st weekend of August procession that ends the cycle of festivals of the Alto Minho region. However, it is the The Festival of Our Lord of Good Health people with their joy and spontaneity, (Senhor da Saúde) is characterized by their way of doing things and enjoying the its popular religious nature and it is festival, the “rusgas” performances and intended for people who wish to fulfil the “cantares ao desafio” (singing their promises. These devotees only challenges), the folklore in any corner of entrust their health to God. town, that transforms the “Feiras Novas” This is the belief of those who seek the into a unique single moment and into the help of Our Lord of Good Health in Sá. festival that is considered the “largest live congress of popular culture in Portugal”. location: Rua da Igreja - Sá GPS: 41°46’26,846”N 8°37’13,474”W location: Largo de Camões GPS: 41°46’6,772”N 8°35’3,394”W

FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA contact DAS DORES (OUR LADY OF City Council of Ponte de Lima SORROWS) tel.:+351 258 900 400 2nd weekend of September e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-pontedelima.pt On the second weekend of September, Ponte de Lima is decorated to welcome its greatest festival: the “Feiras Novas” PORTO (New Fairs). FESTA DE S. JOÃO The festival has been held since 1826, (ST. JOHN’S FESTIVAL) by regal deed of King D. Pedro IV. the entire month of June Celebrated in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows (Senhora das Dores), the The Festival of St. John (S. João) in “Feiras Novas” festival offers the Porto is already one of the most people of Ponte de Lima and the important landmarks in the city’s life, thousands of outsiders who visit it and visitors and tourists are invited to take three days of joy. part in the activities happening all over the

94 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 95 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL city. The tradition of St. John’s Festival Campo Lindo - Paranhos From the previous week until the first in Porto was renewed and nowadays, it GPS: N 41.171903 O -8.611972 Sunday of September of each year, is passionately celebrated for six weeks, one of the largest festivals in the from May 24 to June 29. contact region of Minho takes place in Porto This is a festival made of many other Parish Council of Paranhos d’Ave. Known as the “Festival of feasts, congregating more than 200 tel.:+351 225 020 046 Steaks and Melons”, this is also the events of great diversity and reaching e-mail: [email protected] Festival of Our Lady of Porto d’Ave, its highlight on the night of June 23th to www.jfparanhos-porto.pt which has a religious nature and is the 24th, in what many call the longest held in the monumental Baroque night of the year. Marian sanctuary. FESTAS DE SÃO BARTOLOMEU location: all over the city (ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S FESTIVAL) location: Rua do Santuário GPS: N 41.140108 O -8.609554 August 24 or on the closest Sunday The Festival of St. (S. José) GPS: N 41.557416 O -8.222985 takes place in the municipal holiday, on contact Every year, at the end of August, March 19. This is one of the oldest contact Porto Lazer celebrations are held in Foz do Douro in festivals in Minho. Real Confraria de Nossa Senhora do Porto de Ave tel.:+351 226 199 860 honour of St. Bartholomew (São Along with the religious nature of its tel.:+351 967 023 200 e-mail: [email protected] Bartolomeu). The highlight of this celebrations, this festival also has a e-mail: [email protected] www.portolazer.pt festival is the typical parade with strong economic dimension that is www.confraria-portodave.pt people wearing paper garments and brought to town by the merchants and following the ritual of bathing in the an ever present sociocultural FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA sea in the so-called holy bath. animation. PÓVOA DO VARZIM SENHORA DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF OF GOOD HEALTH) location: Jardim do Passeio Alegre, Rua do location: Praça Eng.º Armando Rodrigues NOSSA SENHORA DA SAÚDE last week of July until August 15 Passeio Alegre GPS: N 41.575754 O -8.269477 (OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH) GPS: N 41.148365 O -8.671196 last weekend of May During this festival, in Arca de Água contact Garden and Campo Lindo Square, contact City Council of Póvoa de Lanhoso The Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady visitors can find carousels, food and União das Freguesias de Aldoar, Foz do Douro, tel.:+351 253 639 700 of Good Health (Nossa Senhora da Boa drink, handicrafts, pottery, crockery Nevogilde e-mail: [email protected] Saúde) is the most emblematic and leather goods, among other items. tel.:+351 226 180 513 www.mun-planhoso.pt religious celebration of the There are daily concerts, so the e-mail: [email protected] municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, entertainment never ends. www.jf-fozdodouro.pt which takes place on the last Sunday The majestic procession takes place FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA of May. Thousands of believers travel on afternoon of August 15 and the DE PORTO D’AVE (OUR LADY OF the seven kilometres that separate firework display takes place on August PÓVOA DE LANHOSO PORTO D`AVE) the Main Church in Póvoa de Varzim 14 and 15 at night. ST. JOSEPH’S FESTIVAL (S. JOSÉ) Festival of Steaks and Melons from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of - MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL week before the 1st Sunday of September Good Health, in Laúndos, where a location: Praça Nove de Abril and Largo do from March 14 to 22 mass is held.

96 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 97 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa e-mail: [email protected] The Procession of Our Lady of Senhora da Saúde www.cm-pvarzim.pt Sorrows (Nossa Senhora das Dores) GPS: 41°26’03,597”N 8˚43’10,796”W takes place on the third Sunday of September. contact FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA Every year, thousands of penitents of Confraria Nossa Senhora da Saúde DA ASSUNÇÃO all ages and social categories, join the tel.:+351 252 607 116 (OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION) religious procession, mostly barefoot August 15 and with real size candles in hand or representative of the part of the body FESTAS DE S. PEDRO On August 15, the Virgin is venerated that they would wish to see cured. (ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL) in a grand event. One of the traditional In this secular festival, in addition to from June 25 to July 5 ways of accomplishing this is to place the traditional festivities and the on top of the masts of fishermen’s grand procession, one of its highlights The Festival of St. Peter (S. Pedro) boats their wives, daughters or is the typical and very crowded corresponds to a week of incredible fiancée’s best scarf, as a tribute to the Crockery Fair (second and third week animation, in which Póvoa itself takes Lady who will bless them. Nowadays, of September). to the streets. Streets decorated, the ritual is still performed, although “rusgas” performances, thrones, the the fishing class is highly reduced due location: in the vicinity of the Church of Nossa bright clothes of the young girls, to emigration. The highlight of the Senhora das Dores popular music, bonfires, sardines and festival corresponds to the procession GPS: 41°22’51,900”N 8°45’24,867”W the joy of the people of Póvoa that finds its peak when, in front of transforms the city. On the night of the fishing port, the wooden platforms contact the 28th until dawn, thousands of are placed facing the sea and Confraria Nossa Senhora das Dores people have a good time while roaming thousands of fireworks are launched tel.:+351 252 683 720 the streets. On the 29th, many others from decorated boats. scatter along the street to see the procession and on that same night, location: Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lapa - RESENDE watch the “rusgas” performances, a near the fishing port FESTIVAL OF SANTA MARIA DE unique moment of colour and beauty. GPS: 41°22’25,71”N 8°45’39,90”W CÁRQUERE (ST. MARY OF CÁRQUERE) location: Póvoa de Varzim Streets - Bairro contact 4th Sunday of May Norte, Bairro da Matriz, Parish of Lapa Bairro Sul, Bairro de Regufe, tel.:+351 252 624 200 On the fourth Sunday of May, all roads Bairro de Belém and Bairro da Mariadeira lead to Cárquere. A date already GPS: 41°22’47,727”N 8°45’42,856”W referenced in the 18th century, the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA devotion to Our Lady of Cárquere is contact DAS DORES (OUR LADY OF deeply rooted in the surrounding City Council of Póvoa de Varzim SORROWS) parishes since the Middle Ages. A tel.:+351 252 298 500 from September 14 to 22 procession is held with all the banners

98 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 99 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL of the parishes of the municipality, location: Rua de Santa Maria de Barrô - Barrô during which the Litany of All Saints is GPS: N 41.129094 O -7.88262 sang, praying for divine protection for the fields and crops, followed by an contact outdoor Mass. Comissão Fabriqueira da Igreja Paroquial de Santa Maria de Barrô location: Monastery - Cárquere tel.:+351 966 314 238 GPS: N 41.51428 O -7.572884

contact FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA Parish Economic Commission of the Parish DA GUIA (OUR LADY OF Church of Cárquere GUIDANCE) tel.:+351 254 877 362 second-to-last Sunday of August of the old Chapel of Our Lord of Calvary (Nosso Senhor do Calvário). The Feast of Our Lady of Guidance The festival usually takes place on the FESTIVAL OF SANTA MARIA DE (Senhora da Guia) takes place on the last Sunday in August. BARRÔ (ST. MARY OF BARRÔ) second-to-last Sunday of August. It is August 14 and 15 also known as the Emigrant Festival, location: Largo da Feira – S. Martinho de due to the great devotion of the Mouros The festival usually starts on August emigrants to Our Lady of Guidance. GPS: N 41.106001 O -7.895843 14 and lasts until the 15th. The solemn procession, on the afternoon of the location: Lugar da Senhora da Guia - S. João de contact 15th, stands out due to the great Fontoura Irmandade S. Francisco Xavier number of little angels and wooden GPS: N 41.114926 O -7.921314 tel.:+351 254 939 082 platforms that join the procession, as well as the original wooden platform of contact Our Lady of Good Journey (Senhora da Comissão Fabriqueira da Igreja Paroquial de S. RIBEIRA DE PENA Boa Viagem). Every year people fetch João de Fontoura FESTIVAL OF SÃO PEDRO DE this stone image from its small niche tel.:+351 965 343 122 CERVA on the rocks of the left bank of the e-mail: [email protected] from June 27 to 30 Douro river, with no shortage of necessary strength, ropes and stairs. The Festival of St. Peter (São Pedro) is According to tradition, the old skippers FESTIVAL OF NOSSO SENHOR DO celebrated on June 29, but the and the remaining sailors would bring CALVÁRIO (OUR LORD OF CALVARY) festivity begins two days before. It is the image in a boat built by themselves last Sunday of August one of the main festivals of the as a gesture of gratitude for the municipality and, at this time of year, it miraculous divine protection they The origin of this festival is quite old. is part of its festive calendar. received during the dangerous work on It is thought to have begun in the 19th The festival’s programme is varied and board the “rabelo” boats. century, at the time of the extension includes the typical aspects of a

100 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 101 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL traditional Portuguese festivity, location: Praça do Município Guidance (Nossa Senhora da Guia) namely, groups of drums, music bands, GPS: 41°31’10.25”N 7°47’38.75”W pertains to the devotion of the people of a mass and solemn procession, Trás-os-Montes and Minho, who every folklore groups and the typical contact August 15 watch the procession and firework show. The festival is very Comissão de Festas fulfil their promises around the chapel. cheerful, with nights filled with tel.:+351 968 112 854 The three days of the festival are merrymaking. accompanied with live music. Thousands of devotees and their location: Praça de Cerva FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA beautiful wooden platforms take part GPS: 41°28’25.29”N 7°50’49.75”W DE FÁTIMA (OUR LADY OF FATIMA) in the procession, which goes from the from August 12 to 15 Church of Santa Marinha to the chapel. contact The location of the chapel, on the Festival Commission In honour of Our Lady of Fatima, who slopes of Alvão, overlooking the tel.:+351 963 875 937 is venerated in a religious and profane Tâmega Valley, gives it a wonderful festival on August 12, 13 and 14, the natural viewpoint. Camilo Castelo Balteiro Festival continues to attract Branco may have attended the Festival FESTIVAL OF THE DIVINO many devotees and pilgrims that come of Our Lady of Guidance as well, which SALVADOR (DIVINE SAVIOUR) AND looking for the traditional musical was as a source of inspiration to write NOSSA SENHORA DAS entertainment, such as the Balteiro the sixth of “Twelve Happy Marriages”. ANGÚSTIAS (OUR LADY OF Folklore group, musical groups and the ANGUISH) Procession of Our Lady of Fatima. In location: Fonte de Mouro - Santa Marinha 1st weekend of August addition, you can shop at the GPS: 41°31’58.81”N 7°46’1.37”W traditional and monthly “Feira dos 13” The festival of the Divine Saviour (Fair of the 13th). contact (Divino Salvador) and Our Lady of Comissão de Festas Anguish (Nossa Senhora das Angústias) location: Balteiro tel.:+351 259 494 362 is always accompanied by a mass, an GPS: 41°32’16.51”N 7°47’9.69”W auction, rockets, a firework display and plenty of entertainment with live music. contact SABROSA The beautiful Main Church of the Divine Comissão de Festas FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SENHOR Saviour, with the first consecration in tel.:+351 963 691 594 JESUS DE STA. MARINHA (THE 1793, houses the Divine Saviour and LORD JESUS OF STA. MARINHA) the Lady of Anguish. This magnificent last weekend of May monument is the place where, on FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DA August 18, 1841, Camilo Castelo GUIA (OUR LADY OF GUIDANCE) The Festival in honour of the Lord Branco, at the time only 16 years old, from August 13 to 16 Jesus of Santa Marinha is famous for was married for the first time. The girl being the first festival of the was only 14 years old and was named Consecrated patron saint of the municipality of Sabrosa and, according Joaquina Pereira de França. municipality in 1952, Our Lady of to tradition, anyone who wants to be a

102 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 103 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL good pilgrim during the year cannot FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF miss the Festival of the Lord Jesus. SENHORA DO ROSÁRIO (OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY) AND location: Santuário (Sanctuary) do Senhor SANTA BÁRBARA (ST. BARBARA) Jesus de Santa / Marinha - Provesende from September 7 to 9 GPS: 41°13’43.1”N 7°34’24.38”W The Festival of St. Barbara and Our FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA Lady of the Rosary (Senhora do SENHORA DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY Rosário) takes place on September 8 OF GOOD HEALTH) (municipal holiday). from August 7 to 10 The Solemn Procession is noteworthy. It attracts thousands of people, The festival takes place between the mainly due to the image of Our Lord of 7th and 10th of August and its main Steps on the wooden platform. The day is the 9th, in which there is a Mass platform, weighing approximately 950 and a Solemn Procession in honour of kilos, is the most imposing and Our Lady of Good Health (Nossa expressive one. It is carried on Senhora da Saúde), whose image is shoulders by the young people of the carried on a wooden platform with village along four kilometres. approximately sixteen meters in height. location: Main Church of Sabrosa location: Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Saúde GPS: 41°15’55.5”N 7°34’32.0”W GPS: 41°31’41.67”N 7°59’19.44”W contact Tourism Office FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA tel.:+351 259 939 575 SENHORA DA AZINHEIRA (OUR e-mail: [email protected] LADY OF AZINHEIRA) www.sabrosa.pt from August 14 to 16

The festival takes place on August 15 SANTA MARIA DA FEIRA in São Martinho de Anta, the birthplace FESTIVAL OF THE FOGACEIRAS IN of the Portuguese writer Miguel Torga, HONOUR OF THE MARTYR ST. who often in his books nicknamed Our SEBASTIAN (S. SEBASTIÃO) Lady of Azinheira as Our Lady of January 20 Perpetual Help (Senhora do Amparo). The Festival of the Fogaceiras is location: Sanntuário de Nossa Senhora da celebrated on the municipal holiday, in Azinheira - São Martinho de Anta fulfilment of a promise, which began GPS: 41°28’08.33”N 7°61’72.22”W

104 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 105 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL in 1505 and was made by the people to Passion and the Encounter of Jesus the “caldo verde” (typical soup) and the Martyr St. Sebastian in order to end with His Mother in the Way of the Cross. the wine are the key elements of the the pestilence that raged through these The procession leaves with the festival. lands. In exchange for protection, the wooden platform of St. Mary, from the people promised the saint an offering Marian Church, accompanied by the location: Sobrado - Sanhoane of a sweet corn cake of wheat bread priest, the acolytes, the scouts and the GPS: 41°11’55,09”N 7°31’55,20”W called “Fogaça”. The Festival of the faithful. It climbs the Church’s street Fogaceiras survived to this day due to until it reaches Cerrado Square. the celebration of the Solemn Mass, At the same time, the wooden FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA preceded by the Blessing of the platform with Our Lord of Steps leaves DO VISO (OUR LADY OF VISO) “Fogaças”, the Procession and the Civic the chapel and, finally, the encounter 1st weekend of August and 1st weekend of September Parade, which the “Fogaceiras” join - between St. Mary and Her Son, Jesus, “impuberal children”, with white Over the years, it has become a social in Cerrado Square, occurs. After a The famous sanctuary is located in clothing and footwear, who carry the and cultural event. The celebration of short prayer, the procession heads the parish of Fontes, but the festival promised “fogaças” on their heads. In the Holy Week involves the population towards the Main Church (where there belongs to the entire municipality addition to the religious programme, of the city and the municipality and, are two altars - St. Mary and Jesus). and other neighbouring areas. It is the festival features a vast and above all, brings to Santa Maria da Here, the final prayer is offered, and the religious and profane festival diversified entertainment programme, Feira visitors who come to explore the the Procession of the Encounter ends. “par excellence” of the people of which includes the participation of the city, the municipality and the best of Penaguião since ancient times. The population. what this place has to offer. location: Sobrado - Sanhoane festival has two distinct parts and The Fogaça Fair’s Sample Showcase, in GPS: N 41.230153 O -7.801474 out of step: one, on the first the castle, is noteworthy. It is location: Historical Centre of Santa Maria da Feira weekend of August (the festival promoted by the Fogaça Fair Producers GPS: N 40.552609 O -8.323042 dedicated to emigrants) with Group with the purpose of raising the FESTA DE S. PEDRO religious ceremonies, a music band, producers’ awareness concerning the contact (ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL) popular dances and a folklore importance of maintaining the original City Council of Santa Maria da Feira June 29 festival; another, on the first production process and the revenue, in tel.:+351 256 370 800 weekend of September, also has a compliance with current safety e-mail: [email protected] St. Peter (S. Pedro) is a popular saint. leisure aspect for those who do not standards. www.cm-feira.pt This day is also known as St. Peter’s have vacations and work the land Day and St. Paul’s Day. The date is and the vineyard all year long. location: Main Church of Santa Maria da Feira celebrated in the month of the popular GPS: N 40.924457 O -8.541959 SANTA MARIA DE PENAGUIÃO saints - June, and the tradition says location: Lugar do Viso PROCESSION OF THE PENITENTS that the people must celebrate the GPS: N 41.228174 O -7.829327 – ENCOUNTER date by decorating the streets with HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES Sunday of Lazarus several colours and basil. Popular contact week before Easter dances and marches are organized in City Council of Santa Marta de Penaguião This procession recreates the journey the streets, where there is always tel.:+351 254 810 130 The Holy Week in Santa Maria da Feira of Christ to the Calvary in an attempt music. As for the cuisine, the grilled e-mail: [email protected] is more than just a religious event. to evoke the biblical narrative of the sardines, the pepper, the cornbread, www.cm-smpenaguiao.pt

106 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 107 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL SANTO TIRSO carnations for this purpose. The 11th of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, FESTIVAL OF S. JOÃO DO July is St. Benedict’s (S. Bento) day and acts of adoration, a procession and a CARVALHINHO a municipal holiday. farewell blessing. June 24 or the following weekend (according to the Several solemn Masses are celebrated. The traditional open-air lunch with calendar) The festival’s profane side includes a large packed meals takes place in the significantly diversified programme, monastery’s surrounding area, in the A popular festival that takes place where the concerts are noteworthy, leafy “forest and living room”. next to the Chapel of Monte de S. João as well as the groups of drums, sports do Carvalhinho, a wooded place, activities, ethnographic exhibitions and location: R. Padre Miguel Miranda - Monte where you can enjoy a beautiful several firework displays. Córdova landscape. The festivity includes In the fairgrounds, there is a typical GPS: 41°20’29.9”N 8°26’49.9”W illuminations, fireworks and typical feast with all the characteristics music groups. The religious element typical of the region of Minho, wine contact integrates a procession that leaves tastings and snacks, handicrafts and Fraternity of Our Lady of the Assumption the Parish Church and heads toward entertainment. tel.:+351 252 898 257 the previously mentioned chapel. Parish of Monte Córdova location: Praça 25 Abril tel.:+351 252 898 145 location: Monte de S. João do Carvalhinho - GPS: 41°20’29.9”N 8°28’24.2”W Burgães GPS: 41°20’29.9”N 8°26’49.9”W contact SÃO JOÃO DA MADEIRA Tourism Office of Santo Tirso FESTIVAL OF THE PARK IN contact tel.:+351 252 830 411 HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA União de Freguesias de Santo Tirso, Couto e-mail: [email protected] DOS MILAGRES (Sta. Cristina and S. Miguel) [email protected] (OUR LADY OF MIRACLES) tel.:+351 252 860 970 last Sunday of May

FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF DA ASSUNÇÃO (OUR LADY OF THE (Nossa Senhora dos Milagres), a S. BENTO (ST. BENEDICT) ASSUMPTION) monument from the Neo-Romanesque June 11 and previous or following days (according to the August 15 period, set in a leafy park, was calendar) inaugurated in 1938 and exhibits in its This is a religious festival that attracts interior an imposing crucified Christ in It is the main festival of the hundreds of pilgrims. People meet at marble. The park, built with the municipality of Santo Tirso, where the the Old Chapel and, afterwards, a donations of the population of S. João sacred and the profane are intertwined. procession heads toward the da Madeira, welcomes the Festival of It brings to the city thousands of Monastery of Our Lady of the Our Lady of Miracles in May. devotees who make their pilgrimage to Assumption (Nossa Senhora da One of the festival’s most important the Main Church, to fulfil their Assunção), where the Solemn Mass is moments is the procession in Her promises, offering eggs, salt and celebrated. At the end, there is an honour.

108 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 109 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Parque de Nossa Senhora dos to go to the small taverns, where they In Fonte Arcada, the festival of Our location: Nossa Senhora de Ao Pé da Cruz Milagres can taste the typical grilled sardines Lady of Good Health takes place Monte de Santa Cruz GPS: N 40.88809 O -8.48685 during these festivities and enjoy all fifteen days after Easter and is GPS: 40°53’20.06”N 7°29’23.35”W the entertainment. preceded by the Preached Novena. The FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF S. TIAGO celebration became famous due to its contact (ST. JAMES) location: Streets of Vila de S. João da Pesqueira procession, in which the ox carts City Council of Sernancelhe last 2 weeks of June GPS: 41°08’49,11”N 5°24’23,17”W transported the wooden platforms tel.:+351 254 598 300 from the church to the chapel. At the e-mail: [email protected] It is the largest festival in the city, in same time, the sanctuary enclosure www.cm-sernancelhe.pt honour of its patron saint. FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO hosts a fair, just as in the time of the For a week, Avenida da Liberdade is MONTE (OUR LADY OF THE HILL) mediaeval fair, although today it has closed to motorised traffic at night 1 September been adapted to modern times. PILGRIMAGE TO NOSSA SENHORA and is opened for the countless DA LAPA (OUR LADY OF LAPA) vendors and carousels, culminating in The Festival of Our Lady of the Hill location: Nossa Senhora da Saúde June 10, August 15 and 2nd Sunday of September the usual firework display. (Senhora do Monte) is an annual and GPS: 40°57’49.49”N 7°31’11.42”W popular festival with the There are two important moments location: S. João da Madeira characteristics of a festivity that contact during the pilgrimage to Our Lady of GPS: N 40.896446 O -8487217 attracts visitors to the municipality to Parish Council of Fonte Arcada Lapa: June 10 and August 15. These watch shows, such as horse races and tel.:+351 254 597 390 pilgrimages are preceded by novenas, contact bullfighting, among other remarkable e-mail: [email protected] which work as a sort of open retreat City Council of S. João da Madeira events. The main events are: Franca and are very popular. Thousands of tel.:+351 256 200 200 Fair, Horse Race, Bull Race and Tractor people visit that Marian shrine, moved www.cm-sjm.pt Gymkhana. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA by faith in the image of the saint, SENHORA DE AO PÉ DA CRUZ found by the shepherdess Joana under location: Streets of vila de S. João da Pesqueira (OUR LADY OF AO PÉ DA CRUZ) a cave. There is also a pilgrimage on SÃO JOÃO DA PESQUEIRA GPS: 41°08’49,11”N 5°24’23,17”W May 3 the second Sunday of September, with FESTA DE S. JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S a long-standing tradition. Considering FESTIVAL) contact The Festival in honour of Our Lady of the three pilgrimages, the August from June 23 and 24 City Council of São João da Pesqueira Ao Pé da Cruz (Nossa Senhora de Ao pilgrimage is definitely the largest. tel.:+351 254 489 999 Pé da Cruz), in Sernancelhe, takes In order to revive the traditions of the e-mail: [email protected] place on the first Sunday of May. The location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa “Joaninas Festival” in the municipality day of the patron saint, celebrated on Senhora da Lapa and in honour of the town’s patron May 3, is also a municipal holiday. The GPS: 40’52’12.53”N 7°34’30.56”W saint, the municipality of S. João da SERNANCELHE celebrations, such as the mass, the Pesqueira (sometimes in partnership FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DA popular and friendly get-together and contact with local institutions) organizes SAÚDE (OUR LADY OF GOOD entertainment take place in Santa Sanctuário da Lapa several activities, namely the Popular HEALTH) Cruz Hill. The skydiving jumps in the tel.:+351 232 688 993 Marches Competition, the 15 days after Easter, on a Sunday festival’s grounds are already part of e-mail: [email protected] Ethnographic Fair, and invites visitors the festival’s tradition. www.santuariodalapa.pt

110 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 111 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA June 24 (municipal holiday), St. John of Santa Maria do Sabroso followed by DAS NECESSIDADES (OUR LADY the Baptist’s day is celebrated with a a band. Afterwards, a Solemn Mass OF NECESSITIES) solemn Mass and a sermon, followed and a sermon are celebrated. August 15 by a procession accompanied by a In the afternoon, you can enjoy the music band that goes through the performance of the traditional music The festival in honour of Our Lady of town’s main streets. These are groups. At night, people can watch the Necessities (Nossa Senhora das decorated with the patron saints’ performance of a dancing group, and Necessidades) takes place in Vila da wooden platforms from all the afterwards a firework display, marking Ponte. On the hill overlooking the village, parishes of the municipality. Children the end of the festival. one of the most amazing viewpoints in dressed as biblical figures also take the entire municipality, hundreds of part in the procession. location: Barcos people gather to thank the blessings During all of the festival’s days, the GPS: N 41.122517 O -7.598046 bestowed by their patron saint. locals and visitors can enjoy the The procession leaves the Main “tasquinhas” (small taverns), which contact Church, covering approximately two have snacks and wines of the region Comissão de Festas de Barcos kilometres until it reaches the chapel. and where there is no shortage of tel.:+351 934 134 494 The music band performance is grilled sardines. You can also visit the indispensable, as well as the songs handicraft fair. In the evening you can that echo along the slope of Monte da watch or dance to the sound of the SANTA EUFÉMIA’S FESTIVAL Senhora das Necessidades. performances of dancing groups until (ST. EUPHEMIA) the wee hours of the morning. September 14 to 16 location: Nossa Senhora das Necessidades - Vila da Ponte location: Tabuaço A Solemn Mass is celebrated with a GPS: 40’54’46.63”N 7°31’22.73”W GPS: N 41.116898 O -7.565643 sermon in the Main Church, followed by a procession through the main contact contact streets of the parish, adorned with a Parish Council of Vila da Ponte tel.:+351 254 780 000 few saints’ wooden platforms, in tel.:+351 969 822 265 www.cm-tabuaco.pt which St. Euphemia’s platform stands e-mail: [email protected] out. These platforms are carried on shoulders by the locals, accompanied FESTIVAL OF SANTA MARIA DO by a music band. TABUAÇO SABROSO AND SANTA BARBARA During the afternoon, there are FESTA DE S. JOÃO from August 14 to 17 performances by traditional music (ST. JOHN’S FESTIVAL) groups and the performance of a from June 18 to 29 It begins with a salvo of mortars and dance group in the evening. the accompanying of the Priora by the The festival ends with a firework show. Local festival that gathers all the music band until it reaches the Main parishes in the Luminous March, which Church. The procession leaves the Main location: Pinheiros takes place in the night of June 23. On Church and heads toward the Church GPS: N 41.102978 O -7.611051

112 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 113 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact and plenty of entertainment animate The festival of the municipality in Comissão de Festas de Pinheiros this event that takes place in the honour of St. Michael (S. Miguel) takes tel.:+351 937 584 838 municipality every year. place at the end of September. The event animates and stimulates the location: Civic Centre of the city of Tarouca municipality. The festival includes an ST. LUZIA’S FESTIVAL GPS: 41°1’6.57”N 7°46’34.68”W extremely diversified programme, December 13 from the traditional Annual Fair on St. Michael’s Day (September 29th) to On this day, a Mass is celebrated with FESTIVAL OF SANTA HELENA DA the Parade (with a different theme a sermon in the Chapel of St. Luzia, CRUZ every year), shows and plenty of followed by a procession that goes 2nd week of July entertainment. around the grounds with the Saint’s wooden platform. For nine days, Santa Helena Mountain location: Civic Centre of the city of Tarouca An auction of hunting catches is held welcomes the people during the GPS: 41°1’6.57”N 7°46’34.68”W at the end. During the afternoon, there traditional novenas. The highlight of will be performances by traditional the festivities takes place on the contact music groups. The fair is held by street second Sunday of July, with the City Council of Tarouca vendors and it is tradition to drink Eucharist usually presided over by the tel.:+351 254 677 420 “jeropiga” (alcoholic drink) with grilled Bishop of Lamego, followed by the e-mail: [email protected] meat. Blessing of the Fields and www.cm-tarouca.pt the Farewell Procession. The location: Sendim traditional Annual Fair is also held on GPS: N 41.053291 O -7.553644 the day of the festival. TERRAS DE BOURO The singularity of the celebrations in FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA contact honour of Santa Helena da Cruz SENHORA DO LIVRAMENTO (OUR Comissão de Festas de Sendim attracts hundreds of visitors annually LADY OF LIVRAMENTO) tel.:+351 960 383 051 to the summit of the Mountain, and 1st Sunday of July there is even the tradition of staying overnight in the vicinity of the The parish of Vilar, in the municipality TAROUCA sanctuary during the days of the of Terras de Bouro, celebrates the S. PEDRO’S FESTIVAL (ST. PETER) festival. festival of Our Lady of Livramento Last week of July (Nossa Senhora do Livramento) on the location: Serra de Santa Helena first Sunday of July. The Festival in honour of St. Peter (S. GPS: 41°0’5.96”N 7°47’40.69”W From the festivals, we can highlight Pedro) is celebrated at the end of various religious events, namely the June (on the 29th), patron of the Candlelight Procession at the parish of Tarouca and of the ST. MICHAEL’S FESTIVAL (S. beginning of the night and the municipality’s seat. MIGUEL) procession with the wooden platform Religious ceremonies, music, fireworks last week of September of Our Lady of Livramento heading

114 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 115 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL towards the sanctuary, with a stop “Corrida de Cavalos de Passo 12 and 13, the famous firework show TORRE DE MONCORVO near the Calvary of Our Lord of the Travado” (a specific type of horse takes place. ST. JOSEPH’S DAY (S. JOSÉ) Afflicted (Senhor dos Aflitos). The race), the Fair Franca, the futsal March 19 eucharist and sermon are celebrated games of the final round of the location: Rua 1, São Bento after the procession. Similarly, the Futsal Tournament, the important GPS: 41°41´23.2”N 8 °12´14.2”W The celebration of the municipal musical groups and the firework religious ceremonies and the contact holiday, dated March 19, was proposed show highlight these festivities. firework shows - all these events S. Bento da Porta Aberta in 1980, as it is St. Joseph’s (S. José) The Chapel of Our Lady of come together and sum up a lively e-mail: [email protected] Day and a festive day in the area. Livramento, built between the 17th and varied festive programme. www.sbento.pt However, it was only in 1981 that the and 18th centuries, is a small first commission was created to sanctuary that, peculiarly, has a box Place: Praça do Município promote the first festivals of this of mortars - a small artillery piece GPS: 41°43’8.72”N 8°18’29.55”W FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SANTA holiday, which has been held until the - of dry powder, which is used to EUFÉMIA (ST. EUPHEMIA) present day. The festive programme is announce the festivities to the contact 3rd weekend of August very diversified, from parades in the neighbouring peoples. City Council of Terras de Bouro streets, followed by Flying the tel.:+351 253 350 010 On the third weekend of August, the National Flag and the municipal event location: Parish of Vilar e-mail: [email protected] town of Gerês celebrates the Festival in the Town Hall, with the participation GPS: 41°43’38.06”N 8°16’56.88”W www.cm-terrasdebouro.pt in honour of St. Euphemia (Santa of the Choir and the Cavaquinhos Eufémia), thus honouring the patron Group from the Sabor Artes Municipal saint of the parish. The festivities hope School; the 788 Scout Group; the MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL IN FESTIVAL OF S. BENTO DA to show the traditions that Volunteer Fire Department of HONOUR OF S. BRÁS PORTA ABERTA (ST. BENEDICT characterize the culture and the Moncorvo and the National Republican (ST. BLAISE) OF THE OPEN DOOR) importance that the religious events Guard, the Procession and the Solemn from August 6 to 10 from August 10 to 15 have at a local level. Mass in honour of St. Joseph, a tribute For three days, the musical to the retired employees of the The municipality of Terras de Bouro This is a typical festival component, the religious events and municipality and the performance of promotes, as it is tradition, from representative of the popular and the promotion of local products are the philharmonic bands and music August 6 to 10, another edition of traditional culture of the people, always present and complete a lively groups. the Municipal Festival in honour of with a religious aspect based in the and varied festive programme. St. Blaise (S. Brás). fulfilment of promises to the location: Historical Centre of Vila de Torre de The parades in the streets and the S. Benedict (S. Bento), a Solemn location: Vila do Gerês Moncorvo traditional street entertainment are Mass, a sermon and the Majestic GPS: 41°43’45.44”N 8° 9’42.12”W GPS: N 41.17403 O-7.05235 noteworthy, as well as the parades Procession, with wooden platforms of the folklore groups that take part with natural flowers and contact contact in the Municipal Folklore Festival, the participants. As a form of Gerês City Council of Torre de Moncorvo “circles” made by groups of entertainment, people can watch the tel.:+351 253 391 313 tel.:+351 279 200 220 concertina’s players that animate performances of the music bands e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] the streets, the philharmonic bands, and the various groups of www.geres.pt www.torredemoncorvo.pt the popular music singers, the concertinas. On the nights of August

116 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 117 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL TOWN AND MUNICIPALITY’S FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA festivities, with a Eucharistic FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA DO AMPARO DE FELGAR (OUR celebration and procession, in which SENHORA DA ASSUNÇÃO (OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP OF the wooden platform with the image LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION ) FELGAR) of the noble saint stands out. from August 12 to 15 second-to-last weekend of August During the festive day, groups of men make a large “magusto” (a feast One of the earliest known references The festival takes place in the parish where chestnuts are roasted) in the about the Festival of Our Lady of the of Felgar. According to tradition, community threshing floors. After the Assumption in Torre de Moncorvo Commander Pires, while in open sea chestnuts are roasted and bagged, a appears in a Provision of 1695 - “so and in the midst of a storm, promised wine boiler is filled, and they travel that on the day of Our Lady of the to build a chapel in honour of Our Lady the village to distribute the “bilhós” Assumption the Council holds a Feast of Perpetual Help if She helped him. (shelled roasted chestnuts) and the in the Church...”. From 1695 to 1973, So it was, and every year, on the wine that is drunk using the boiler as the festivals in honour of Our Lady of second-to-last Sunday of August, the the ritual dictates, accompanied by the Assumption (Nossa Senhora da great festival in honour of the Lady of the bagpiper and lately, also by the Assunção) have been held in this Perpetual Help (Senhora do Amparo) accordion. The men take several walks town. After an interruption period of is held in the beautiful and airy around town, singing songs related to thirteen years, the festivities were sanctuary. The festival’s programme this festival. resumed in 1986 and are still is filled with music and entertainment, celebrated today. The festive in which the grand procession stands location: Maçores programme is extremely diversified, out. GPS: N 41.12635 O -7.00579 with firework shows, philharmonic bands’ parades and dancing to the location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa contact rhythm of musical groups. On the Senhora do Amparo - Felgar Comissão de Festas em honra de S. Martinho 15th, the religious element dominates GPS: N 41.21261 O -6.95964 tel.:+351 963 121 466 the festivities, with a Solemn Mass and a Procession in honour of the contact patron saint Our Lady of the Mordomia de Nossa Senhora do Amparo TROFA Assumption. tel.:+351 967 251 131 PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST. e-mail: [email protected] GONÇALO (SÃO GONÇALO) location: Historical Centre of Vila de Torre de second-to-last Sunday of January Moncorvo GPS: N 41.17403 O -7.05235 ST. MARTIN’S FESTIVAL The Pilgrimage in honour of St. (S. MARTINHO) Gonçalo is held on the second-to-last contact the nearest Saturday of November 11 Sunday of January in Covelas. Comissão de Festas em Honra de Nossa Thousands of pilgrims make this Senhora da Assunção The festival takes place in the parish pilgrimage - many of whom are tel.:+351 963 121 466 of Maçores. In the morning, the organized in groups, travelling on foot, religious element dominates the by horse and by bicycle - driven by the

118 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 119 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL sacred and profane festivities held every year by a commission of contact around the image of the saint and the volunteers, who come from the Parish House of Alvarelhos chapel. During the liturgical various villages that are part of the tel.:+351 229 827 047 celebrations, the pilgrims - who are parish of São Martinho de Bougado. fond of traditional cuisine - fraternize around the packed meals they brought location: S. Martinho de Bougado VALE DE CAMBRA from home or bought in the local GPS: 41°20’11.61”N 8°33’37.24”W FESTA DE SANTO ANTÓNIO (ST. taverns, which include the well-known ANTHONY’S FESTIVAL) “papas de sarrabulho” (a pulp made of contact June 12 pig’s blood and giblets) and the fried Parish House of S. Martinho de Bougado pork meat, among other dishes, tel.:+351 252 412 883 The people of Vale de Cambra have accompanied by “vinho palhete novo” www.nsdorestrofa.com always celebrated St. Anthony’s Day, (a type of wine). contact the patron saint of Vale de Cambra. Parish House of S. Martinho de Bougado In addition to the religious location: Rua Central, Covelas tel.:+351 252 412 883 ST. EUPHEMIA’S FESTIVAL ceremonies, the mass and the GPS: 41°17’52.65”N 8°32’6.96”W www.nsdorestrofa.com 3rd Sunday of September procession, there is a varied number Parish House of S. Mamede do Coronado of activities and entertainment contact tel.:+351 229 827 900 The festival of St. Euphemia (Santa events that actually transform the Parish House of Covelas Eufémia) is held annually on the third urban centre for a few days. tel.:+351 229 827 047 Sunday of September in Alvarelhos. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA Every year, the devotion to the Saint location: Praça Comendador Álvaro Pinho SENHORA DAS DORES leads thousands of people to Santa Costa Leite FESTIVAL OF THE DIVINO (OUR LADY OF SORROWS) Eufémia Hill, in particular, people from GPS: 40°50’58.15”N 8°23’40.02”W ESPÍRITO SANTO (DIVINE HOLY August 16 the fishing communities of northern SPIRIT) Portugal, especially from Espinho, contact 7th week after Easter Considered one of the largest Matosinhos, Vila do Conde and Póvoa City Council of Vale de Cambra pilgrimages in northern Portugal, the de Varzim. tel.:+351 256 420 510 The Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit festival in honour of Our Lady of The cultural programme of the e-mail: [email protected] (Divino Espírito Santo) takes place in Sorrows (Nossa Senhora das Dores) is festivities includes the “rusgas” www.cm-valedecambra.pt the seventh week after Easter, in two held annually in August (third performances in honour of the saint, different parishes: S. Martinho de Sunday). the Melon, Garlic and Onions Fair, the Bougado and S. Mamede do Coronado. The traditional and centuries-old Concertina Festival, the “Cantares ao FESTIVAL OF S. PEDRO DE procession, unique for the grandeur of Desafio” (singing challenges) and the CASTELÕES location: S. Martinho de Bougado: Rua Dom its wooden platforms, attracts philharmonic bands’ competition. June 29 Pedro V, – Parque Nossa Senhora das Dores thousands of visitors to Trofa. It also and Dr Lima Carneiro includes a seed fair and the festivities location: Av. Santa Eufémia, Monte Grande The highlight of the Festival of St. Peter S. Mamede do Coronado: Rua do Espírito Santo last several days, preceded by a Santa Eufémia - Alvarelhos (S. Pedro), in the town of São Pedro GPS: S. Martinho: 41°20’11.61”N 8°33’37.24”W cultural week. The festival has almost GPS: 41°18’38.67”N 8°37’44.90”W de Castelões, is on June 29, marked S. Mamede: 41°16’10.5”N 8°34’27.2”W 250 years of history and is organized mainly by the religious ceremonies.

120 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 121 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Throughout the festivities, you can also contact FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DO FARO enjoy the local cuisine, of which stands Irmandade Nossa Senhora da Saúde (OUR LADY OF FARO) out: the farmer’s style fried pork meat, tel.:+351 256 462 072 August 15 “papas de sarrabulho” (a pulp made of pig’s blood and giblets), “caldo verde” The Pilgrimage starts in the Church of (typical soup) and also the famous FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA Santo Estevão (inside the wall) and “vinhos verdes” (wine) of the region. SENHORA DA NATIVIDADE (OUR heads toward the Chapel of Our Lady LADY OF NATIVITY) of Faro (Senhora do Faro), a route of location: Praça de S. Pedro, S. P. Castelões September 8 approximately eight kilometres. The GPS: 40°49’42.85”N 8°23’52.80”W religious ceremonies take place after The Festival in honour of Our Lady of the pilgrimage reaches the chapel. contact Nativity (Nossa Senhora da Afterwards, people will spend the day Parish Council of S. Pedro de Castelões Natividade) is celebrated in Vila de together in the park where they have tel.:+351 256 463 043 Macieira de Cambra. These lunch, savouring the traditional packed celebrations bring together the meals. During the afternoon, people religious and the pagan festivities in a can enjoy musical performances. PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF festival in honour of their patron satin. NOSSA SENHORA DA SAÚDE (OUR location: Monte do Faro LADY OF GOOD HEALTH) location: Praça da República - Macieira de GPS: 42°01’07.57”N 8°35’47.17”W August 15 Cambra GPS: 40°51’22.72”N 8°22’38.14”W Located on the top of Arestal Moutain, WINTER FESTIVALS in Lugar de Gestoso, stands the 18th contact 1st week of September century chapel in honour of Our Lady of Parish Council of Macieira de Cambra Good Health, which was rebuilt in 1782. tel.:+351 256 463 66 Popular pilgrimage with a penitential Every year, the Pilgrimage in honour of procession, which covers a distance of Our Lady of Good Health (Nossa nearly six kilometres. Senhora da Saúde) is held here, from VALENÇA August 14 to 15. This sanctuary was FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DA location: Cerdal sighted in the Atlantic by the fishermen CABEÇA (OUR LADY OF THE HEAD) GPS: 41’58’ 38.73”N 8°35’31.28”W who, on stormy nights, would ask Our Easter Monday and Tuesday Lady of Good Health for help. During contact the festival’s days, the fisherman Traditional Galician-Portuguese festival, City Council of Valença would make the pilgrimage to thank in which the “Lanço da Cruz” ceremony, tel.:+351 251 809 500 Our Lady for Her protection. held in the waters of the Minho river e-mail: [email protected] on Easter Monday, is noteworthy. www.cm-valenca.pt location: Parque Nossa Senhora da Saúde - Gestoso, S. Pedro de Castelões location: Cristêlo - Covo GPS: 40°48’4.59”N 8°22’56.68”W GPS: 42°01’31.13”N 8°39’23.41”W

122 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 123 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL VALONGO Church of Our Lady of Bom Despacho Parish of Sobrado (Sto. André) SENHOR DOS PASSOS (OUR LORD OF (Senhora do Bom Despacho), also tel.:+351 224 111 234 STEPS) known as the Church of St. Rita, 4th Sunday of Lent annexed to the former Convent of Formiga, in the city of Ermesinde. The SENHORA DO AMPARO (OUR Every year, on the fourth weekend of Lent, festival is very popular and attracts LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP) the traditional and impressive Festivities of pilgrims and walkers from the entire last Sunday of July the Holy Stages of the Passion of Christ take region. The procession in honour of St. place along the streets of the oldest part of Rita, defender of the impossible Traditionally, the Pilgrimage of Our the city of Valongo. The Procession of Our causes, accompanied by little angels Lady of Perpetual Help (Senhora do Lady of Solitude (Senhora da Soledade) is and wooden platforms with other Amparo) is held on the last Sunday held on Saturday night, at 9:30 pm. The images, takes place in the temple’s of July. On Saturday night of the Majestic Procession of Our Lord of Steps neighbouring churchyard. Along with one day, from early in the morning previous week, during a candlelight takes place on Sunday afternoon, at 4:00 the religious ceremonies, there are until late in the afternoon, it marvels procession, the image of Our Lady is pm. One of the highlights of the ritual is the entertainment events and a large the visitors with rituals, dances, moved to the Main Church. In the Encounter between Jesus and Mary, near number of vendors and shopkeepers rattling noises, humour, colour and joy. morning of the day of the festival, the Padrão Cross (National Monument). who, from Friday to Monday, offer A “battle” takes place between the the image returns to its sanctuary The tercentenary processions, with high visitors a wide range of products. “Bugios” and the “Mourisqueiros”, with once more, accompanied by several religious significance, began in 1710, in several hundred extras that are also wooden platforms in a Majestic Valongo. The Confraria de Senhor dos location: Avenida Eng.º Duarte Pacheco involved in this celebration, which has Procession. In the afternoon, people Passos was the driving force of these Ermesinde put forward a candidacy to integrate can enjoy a show, in which the events. When the weather conditions do GPS: 41°12’21,73”N 8°32’31,06”W the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage performances of the local folklore not allow it, the ceremonies are of Humanity. group and music bands stand out An postponed until the next weekend. contact In addition to the rituals of St. John’s elegant flowery carpet, about two Parish of Ermesinde (S. Lourenço) Day, the festivities in honour of the kilometres long, laid between the location: Historical and central area of Valongo Church of St. Rita saint take place over several days, Main Church and the sanctuary, GPS: 41°11’21.75”N 8° 29’50.58”W tel.:+351 229 773 694 with a lot of fun, night outs and characterizes this festival, becoming Parish Council of Ermesinde shows, and always with plenty of one of its calling cards and revealing contact tel.:+351 229 737 973 fireworks. the devotion and dedication of the Senhor dos Passos people of Alfena. e-mail: [email protected] location: Largo do Passal - Sobrado www.procissoes-santos-passos-valongo.blogspot.pt THE BUGIADA AND MOURISCADA GPS: 41°12’35,02”N 8°27’41,67”W location: Rua Nossa Senhora do Amparo OF S. JOÃO DE SOBRADO Alfena June 24 contact GPS: 41°14’44,87”N 8°30’46,38”W ST. RITA’S FESTIVAL Casa do Bugio; Parish Council of Campo and 2nd Sunday of June Every year, on St. John’s (S. João) day, Sobrado - (Sbd) contact an unusual tradition is celebrated once tel.:+351 224 111 223 Parish of Alfena (S. Vicente) Every year, the Festival of St. Rita takes again. This tradition is known as www.saojoaosobrado.wordpress.com tel.:+351 229 670 062 place on the second Sunday in June, in the “Bugiadas” and “Mouriscadas” and for www.candidaturadabugiadaemouriscada.com

124 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 125 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL VALPAÇOS the weekend of the second Sunday FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA of May. The festival’s highlight is DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY OF GOOD the Flowery Baskets Parade. The HEALTH) baskets are made with stems, 1st Sunday of September leaves, buds and petals of natural flowers and the “mordomas” The festival in honour of Our Lady of (women dressed in traditional Good Health (Nossa Senhora da costumes) carry them on their Saúde) is the synonym of diversified heads and offer them to Our Lady entertainment during the week that of the Rosary (Nossa Sehora do precedes the first Sunday of Rosário). The traditional Folklore September. Among the many musical Festival, which takes place during and sports shows, the highlight of this festival, has welcomed these festivities is the majestic national and international groups procession on Saturday, starting at the and takes part in the Festival of Main Church, going through the main Roses, displaying an immense arteries of the city and ending at the diversity of costumes, ways and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Health. customs. The presence of national and international philharmonic location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de Nossa bands is also a common aspect of Senhora da Saúde the festival. In Vila Franca, there is GPS: N 41.613433 O -7.300445 no shortage of vendors, confectioners and the famous contact taverns of food and drinks. There is City Council of Valpaços also entertainment for all ages, tel.:+351 278 710 130 among many other attractions that e-mail: [email protected] make the Festival of Roses the www.valpacos.pt highlight of this parish.

location: Vila Franca do Lima VIANA DO CASTELO GPS: N 41.682424 O -8.738285 FESTIVAL OF ROSES IN HONOUR OF NOSSA SENHORA DO ROSÁRIO contact (OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY) Parish Council of Vila Franca 2nd weekend of May tel.:+351 258 332 008 e-mail: [email protected] Traditionally, the Festivals of Viana do www.jf-vilafranca.com Castelo begin in May, with this Festival in Vila Franca, which is always held on

126 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 127 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact The Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Agony contact Parish Council of Alvarães (Nossa Senhora d’Agonia) is VianaFestas and City Council of Viana do tel.:+351 258 777 483 interwoven with the history of the Castelo e-mail: [email protected] Church of Agony, built in 1674, in tel.:+351 258 809 394 www.alvaraes.pt honour of the patron saint of e-mail: [email protected] Festival Commission of Santa Cruz fishermen. At the time, a chapel was www.vianafestas.com e-mail: [email protected] built as an invocation to the Good Jesus of the Holy Sepulchre of the Calvary and, a little further above, VIEIRA DO MINHO FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA another chapel was built, in honour to FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA FÉ DAS NEVES (OUR LADY OF THE Our Lady of the Conception (Nossa (OUR LADY OF FAITH) SNOWS) Senhora da Conceição). 1st Sunday of June SANTA CRUZ FESTIVAL-FLOWERY August 5 Nowadays, the name of the saint is WOODEN PLATFORMS OF associated with the queen of the Located in the parish of Cantelães and ALVARÃES This festival takes place in Largo das pilgrimages and the many traditions of in the heart of the mountain, the 40 days after Easter Neves, a place shared by three parishes: Portugal’s largest popular festival: the Chapel of Our Lady of Faith (Nossa Barroselas, Vila de Punhe and Mujães Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady of Senhora da Fé) was built in 1759 after The Santa Cruz Festival-Flowery - the highlight of this festival is the Agony, created in 1772, from the the appearance of the saint’s image on Wooden Platforms of Alvarães is one of famous Medieval Play of Floripes. This is devotion of sea men that came from Santa Cecília Hill. The grounds of the the most poetic manifestations of faith, a medieval play, from popular tradition, Galicia and the entire Portuguese chapel include two bandstands, a culture and folk art of Viana do Castelo, which stages a battle between coast for the religious and pagan fountain, and also a great cross that included in the flower cycle of Viana, Christians and Turks and represents celebrations, which are still held every can be seen from Vieira do Minho. which is a true glimpse of the colour one of the oldest examples of popular year on the municipal holiday. Every year, on the first Sunday of June, and perfume of wild flowers. Every theatre. It is held on August 5, in Neves. The highlights of the festival’s the Chapel welcomes a pilgrimage of year, the embroidery of this popular art programme are the “Desfile da the archpriesthood of Vieira do Minho. inspires the people of Alvarães to location: Largo das Neves - Barroselas, Vila de Mordomia” (a traditional parade), the Next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of create eleven admirable wooden Punhe and Mujães Solemn Procession, the Ethnographic Faith, there is a niche built on the trunk platforms, covered with flower petals GPS: N 41.652954 O -8.720466 Parade, the Costume Festival, the of a tree that houses the image of Our that are glued one by one and fourteen “Vamos para a Serenata” (Let’s Lady. “In the past, a promise used to equally embroidered crosses. contact Serenade) Parade, the performances be made and it involved a living person It is difficult to describe the Parish Council of Mujães of folklore groups, the flowery carpets taking two laps around the sanctuary, polychromy of colours, the ingenuity tel.:+351 258 971 799 in the streets of Ribeira, the Procession lying in an urn, while the philharmonic and art of the flowery platforms, the e-mail: [email protected] to the Sea and the firework shows. band and some contracted mourners majestic procession and the magic of www.jf-mujaes.com VianaFestas, with the support of the accompanied the devotee in this the feast, which dazzles thousands of City Council, is responsible for the macabre funeral procession.” This type visitors that amplify the village’s ego. programme’s organization. of promise was abolished a few years PILGRIMAGE OF NOSSA SENHORA ago. In the chapel, there were some location: Alvarães D’AGONIA (OUR LADY OF AGONY) location: City of Viana do Castelo coffins to rent for this type of promise GPS: N 41.633856 O -8.740103 August 20 and the nearest weekend GPS: N 41.692899 O -8.837928 and were only recently removed.

128 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 129 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Parish of Cantelães Penamourinho Hill, in the parish of Christopher (São Cristóvão) is carried GPS: N 41.657533 O -8.130650 Soutelo, was built in 1694, under the by the taxi drivers. orders of João Gonçalves and his wife Margarida da Silva. This chapel stands out location: Vieira do Minho FESTIVAL OF SENHORA D’ORADA for its originality, since it was built inside GPS: N 41.629417 O -8.138806 (OUR LADY OF ORADA) a rocky outcrop. The entrance door that 3rd Sunday of June dates from 1898 is also noteworthy, as contact well as the several inscriptions engraved Town Council of Vieira do Minho Located at the foot of Cabreira on the ceiling and the framed picture with tel.:+351 253 649 270 Mountain, which provides natural the history of the sanctuary written by e-mail: [email protected] surroundings of great beauty, Our Lady Father José Maria Machado in 1851. In www.cm-vminho.pt of Orada (Senhora da Orada) is part of the immediate vicinity of the sanctuary, the parish of Pinheiro, about seven there is a bandstand, several fountains, kilometres from Vieira do Minho. the facilities that support the annual VILA DO CONDE Next to the chapel, we can find a stone pilgrimage (second Sunday of July) and a FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA GUIA staircase, the Archiepiscopal Fountain, viewpoint. (OUR LADY OF GUIDANCE) the Fraternity House, a bandstand, a week before February 2 stage, a cross and on top of the hill a location: Parish of Soutelo Calvary, which has a lake in the middle GPS: N 41.603813 O -8.195469 Our Lady of Guidance (Senhora da and in the background, a crucifix of Guia) is the patron saint of seafarers large proportions. Inside the chapel, and fishermen. The Festival of Our we can also find two side altars FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA Lady of Guidance, made only of dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and CONCEIÇÃO (OUR LADY OF THE celebrations with a strong religious and, in the CONCEPTION) element, attracts devotees from all background, a retable that dates from August 15 over the country to the city, especially the 17th century. The festival in honour from fishing areas. These devotees of Our Lady of Orada has been held on Our Lady of the Conception (Senhora da follow the procession that includes the third Sunday of June since 1840. Conceição) is the patron saint of the several wooden platforms and many municipality of Vieira do Minho. Although extras. Due to its importance, it is location: Parish of Pinheiro the official date of this celebration for the considered one of the biggest GPS: N 41.624340 O -8.102481 Catholic Church is December 8, in Vieira, moments of the religious calendar. and given the numerous festivals that take place during the summer due to the location: Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia and FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA LAPA presence of emigrants, people also take other locations (OUR LADY OF LAPA) the opportunity to celebrate the festival GPS: 41°20’20.56”N 8°44’58.42”W 2nd Sunday of July in honour of Our Lady of the Conception. The wooden platforms are decorated and contact The Chapel of Our Lady of Lapa transported by the devotees of the saints; Juiz da Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Guia (Senhora da Lapa), located in for example, the wooden platform of St. tel.:+351 911 167 574

130 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 131 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTA DE SÃO JOÃO (ST. JOHN’S March of 480, and grew up in a the Burial of the Lord and the FESTIVAL) wealthy Christian family. He was sent Procession of the Resurrection, are week before June 24 to to finish his studies, where he part of the programme and are usually felt disappointed by the degradation of accompanied by Easter Sacred Music The festival’s programme celebrates the moral values of the city. concerts, a live Way of the Cross and St. John (São João), the patron saint, He left the city and went to a other ceremonies that are reminiscent whose image is venerated in the Main mountain near the city of Rome, of the Paschal Season, which attracts Church, dating from the 16th century. where he spent three years in a cave a considerable number of visitors year In this festival, the religious cult is as a hermit, reflecting. After that after year. mixed with acts of profane nature, in a period, he founded the Benedictine feast deeply rooted in popular tradition Order or the Order of St. Benedict, location: Vila Flor and with multisecular connections to whose motto is: Pray and Work. GPS: 41°18´24.78”N 7°09´07.73”W the Convent of Santa Clara. He died in March 547 after a life The highlights of the programme are dedicated to God and to helping others. contact the Procession, a traditional Trip to the Several miracles were attributed to Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Vila Flor Beach and St. John’s Grand Night, this saint. Brother of Saint Scholastica, Caxinas. The procession - which takes tel.:+351 278 518 070 with the performances of the folklore St. Benedict is the patron saint of the place on the Sunday closest to August e-mail: [email protected] groups of lacemakers from the hill and parish and Monastery of Vairão and is 6 - and the Solemn Mass are the www.misericordiavilalor.com square, and a dazzling firework show. the object of great devotion by the highlights of the religious programme. fishing community. location: Main Church of Vila do Conde and location: Igreja de Nosso Senhor dos FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA other locations location: Igreja do Mosteiro de São Salvador Navegantes and other locations DO CASTANHEIRO (OUR LADY OF GPS: 41°21’14.17”N 8°44’33.61”W and other locations GPS: 41°21’50.58”N 8°45’34.77”W CASTANHEIRO) GPS: 41°19’58.25”N 8°40’12.02”W August 8 and 9 contact contact Comissão de Festas de S. João and City contact Parish Centre of Caxinas This a religious and popular festival Council of Vila do Conde União de Juntas de Freguesia de Fornelo and tel.:+351 252 612 425 that is held in the sanctuary, which tel.:+351 252 248 400 Vairão includes a late Romanesque church e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 965 090 781 that used to accommodate the www.cm-viladoconde.pt VILA FLOR pilgrims on the Way of St. James. Its HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES interior is decorated with a few tombs FESTIVAL OF SENHOR DOS week before Easter embedded in the wall, in the form of FESTIVAL OF SÃO BENTO DE NAVEGANTES (OUR LORD OF chapels, and an 18th century image of VAIRÃO (ST. BENEDICT OF NAVIGATORS) Every year, in Vila Flor, the Holy House St. Mary of Castanheiro (Nossa VAIRÃO) 1st week of August of Mercy and the Parish Economic Senhora do Castanheiro). Next to this 3rd Sunday of July Commission, with the support of the temple, there is an extremely old The devotion to Our Lord of Navigators City Council of Vila Flor, celebrate the chestnut tree with a burr on the trunk. St. Benedict (São Bento) was born in (Senhor dos Navegantes) is an old traditional Holy Week. The Palm According to the elders, Our Lady used Nursia, present Italian territory, in tradition of the fishing community of Sunday Procession, the Procession of to appear in the tree’s burr.

132 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 133 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL location: Valtorno e-mail: [email protected] patron saint, Saint . Residents, emigrants and tourists GPS: 41°15´05.67”N 7°12´32.94”W www.santuario-assuncao.pt In addition to the religious occupy the streets of the historical ceremonies, one of the highlights of centre to relive this parade. contact the festival is reserved for Saturday On Saturday, the festival embraces its Comissão de Festas de Valtorno TOWN FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF night - the grand Popular Marches. musical side, with concerts by the Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/valtorno SÃO BARTOLOMEU (ST. After a lot of work, the people that are invited music bands and the BARTHOLOMEW) part of the various local structures performances of the municipality’s August 22 to 24 and places of the parish, dress up and, groups of drums. On the last day, FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA to the sound of music, parade with Sunday, the religious side of the DA ASSUNÇÃO (OUR LADY OF THE Every year, the town festivals are the colourful arches before those present, festival stands out, with the Solemn ASSUMPTION) meeting point of many hundreds of who applaud them. The religious side Mass and the Majestic Procession in from August 13 to 15 emigrants, returning home to their of the festival can be seen on Sunday honour of St. Sebastian, at 5:00 pm. families. On the 24th, a municipal afternoon, with the celebration of a Each of the three days ends with This is the largest and one of the most holiday, the procession takes to the Mass and the majestic Procession. The concerts by musical groups and important Marian sanctuaries of Trás- street, accompanied by the local remaining days are marked by the orchestras, as well as firework shows, os-Montes, where a festival is held music band and an immensity of typical festivities of Minho. on Saturday at the Pier of the Minho every year. This festival is the largest people that insist on following the river and on Sunday, at Feira Square. one in the region and its highlight is the image of St. Bartholomew through the location: Largo de S. João - Campos majestic procession that takes place on main streets of Vila Flor. The TerraFlor GPS: N 41.979729 O -8.701862 location: Terreiro – Praça da Liberdade August 15. The procession is - Regional Products and Flavours Fair GPS: N 41.940487 O -8.743930 accompanied by music bands, several is part of the festival. This fair hundred barefoot pilgrims, thousands promotes the products, producers, MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL IN HONOUR of visitors, about a hundred biblical brands and potentialities of the region OF S. SEBASTIÃO FESTA DE S. ROQUE figures and 11 wooden platforms. The and the municipality of Vila Flor. (ST. SEBASTIAN) (ST. ROCH’S FESTIVAL) platform of Our Lady is the largest one 1st weekend of August 2nd weekend of August and is carried by approximately fifty location: Vila Flor people, going through Vilas Boas village GPS: 41°18´24.78”N 7°09´07.73”W Vila Nova de Cerveira honours St. The Festival in honour of St. Roch is a and heading toward the sanctuary, Sebastian with religious and festivity with a very strong religious covering a distance of two kilometres. contact recreational events. The Municipal element, where the devotion to the Comissão de festas de São Bartolomeu Festival Commission, with the support saint stands out. In addition to the location: Santuário (Sanctuary) Nossa Senhora tel.:+351 278 510 100 of the City Council, invests on a religious ceremonies, there are other da Assunção programme that highlights the events, with a popular and festive GPS: 41°20`55.26”N 7°10´51.96”W tradition of Alto-Minho and Vila Nova nature, where there is no shortage of VILA NOVA DE CERVEIRA de Cerveira. the typical festivities of Minho. contact FESTIVAL OF S. JOÃO DE CAMPOS The first day is marked by the Festival Organization from June 20 to 24 Ethnographic Parade, where the best location: Largo de S. Roque tel.:+351 916 993 621/919 980 949 of what is done and exists in the so- GPS: N 41.936815 O -8.742828 Santuário Nossa Senhora da Assunção For four days, the parish of Campos called “Arts Town” is presented by its tel.:+351 278 512 595 celebrates the festival in honour of its parishes and associations.

134 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 135 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA “vinho tinto do pipo” (a type of red (Desfolhada) and the Bullock Fights DA AJUDA (OUR LADY OF HELP) wine). The festival lasts all night and, are just some of the events that 1st weekend of September a bit throughout the city, there is portray the cultural identity of Vila music, dancing and popular festivities. Nova de Famalicão and allow everyone The Festival in honour of Our Lady of The boys buy a basil plant to offer that participates in this celebration to Help (Nossa Senhora da Ajuda) takes their girlfriends with an original remember and experience the richest place in Vila Nova de Cerveira on the popular four-line verse, which and most important traditions of the weekend close to September 8th. The sometimes is also naughty and region. adoration of the image of Our Lady, humorous. The festival takes place in with wavy blond hair, is secular and the street and everyone is invited. location: city centre, Praça D. Maria II Square dates back to the construction of the Some of the other traditional and Campo da Feira chapel (1650) with the same name. moments include the Popular This is a festival with a strong religious which celebrates the Passion, the “Rusgas” performances, the Bonfires contact symbolism that includes the entire Death and the Resurrection of Jesus and the “Cascatas de Santo António” Tourism Office community of Vila Nova de Cerveira, Christ. This is a period of profound (representations of religious or tel.:+351 252 312 564 who proudly nicknamed the saint “Our inner reflection for the faithful. The secular scenes), which are followed e-mail: Vain Lady” due to Her beauty. religious programme includes the Way by the religious ceremonies, in which [email protected] The religious festival is linked to the of the Cross and the Ecce Homo the distribution of St. Anthony’s Bread City Council of Vila Nova de Famalicão municipality’s ethnography, especially Procession, which are noteworthy. stands out. The Popular Marches are tel.:+351 252 320 900 the “Husking of Minho” (Desfolhada), one of the highlights of the festival. e-mail: which takes place in the yard in front of location: city streets [email protected] the chapel and attracts many visitors. GPS: 41°24’21.31”N 8°31’06.21”W location: city streets GPS: 41°24’21.31”N 8°31’06.21”W location: Terreiro – Praça da Liberdade VILA NOVA DE FOZ CÔA GPS: N 41.940487 O -8.743930 ANTONINAS FESTIVAL HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES June 13, and for a week FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SÃO from the Palm Sunday until the Holy Friday contact MIGUEL (ST. MICHAEL) Town Council of Vila Nova de Cerveira The Antoninas Festival in honour of September 29 Taking into account the devotion of the tel.:+351 251 708 020 the Matchmaker Saint mobilizes the people of Vila Nova de Foz Côa to their e-mail: [email protected] entire municipality and attracts The Festival in honour of St. Michael patron saint, Our Lady of Tears (Nossa www.cm-vncerveira.pt thousands of tourists to the city. (São Miguel) or the Harvest Festival is Senhora do Pranto), the traditional People experience the deepest popular one of the oldest traditions of the ceremonies of the Holy Week display the traditions, with the discovery and the municipality. religiosity of the people of Vila Nova de VILA NOVA DE FAMALICÃO reunion of ancestral customs, feelings Established in 1205, around the time Foz Côa. The solemn processions of the HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES and flavours. of the attribution of a Charter to Vila Holy Week create very vivid moments week before Easter Throughout the streets, the aroma of Nova by King D. Sancho I, this festival and portray the mysteries of the basil mixes with that of the grilled is closely linked to the origins of the redemption of the Saviour. The Holy Week is one of the main sardines and pork fillet. People eat municipality. The typical festivity of The Procession of Our Lord of Steps religious festivities in the region, “caldo verde” (typical soup) and drink Minho, the “Husking of Minho” (Senhor dos Passos) is the highlight of

136 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 137 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL the festivities. It is experienced by the contact people of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and by Parish of Vila Nova de Foz Côa numerous visitors of other regions tel.:+351 279 762 326 that come to Foz Côa to witness the e-mail: [email protected] Song of Veronica and other significant [email protected] moments of the Holy Week. location: Praça do Município VILA NOVA DE GAIA GPS: N 41.083468 O -7.136006 FESTIVAL OF ST. GONÇALO AND ST. CHRISTOPHER (S. CRISTÓVÃO) contact 1st Sunday after January 10 Parish of Vila Nova de Foz Côa tel.:+351 279 762 326 FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA The Festival of St. Gonçalo is the first e-mail: [email protected] DA VEIGA (OUR LADY OF VEIGA) festival of the year and takes place on [email protected] from 1st to the 2nd Sunday of August the first Sunday after January 10. It includes three groups of “festeiros” Next to Meão Valley, the boundary of (merrymakers), one from the parish of FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in front of Pocinho Santa Marinha and two from Lugar da CAMPO (OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS) Station and with the Douro river at its Rasa, of the parish of Mafamude. Both 8 days after Easter - Low Sunday feet, stands the Sanctuary of Our Lady parade through the streets of the city of Veiga (Nossa Senhora da Veiga), with the figures and heads of St. The festival in honour of Our Lady of invoked by the entire population of Vila Gonçalo and St. Christopher, attracting the Fields (Nossa Senhora do Campo) Nova de Foz Côa and the neighbouring thousands of pilgrims that follow them is already an unavoidable landmark of municipalities. Nowadays, at a regional during the parade, singing and crying the festivities of the municipality, thus level, the Festival of Our Lady of Veiga out, while they continue towards the attracting a very significant number of attracts many people, as well as the Church of Mafamude, where they meet visitors from the different regional origins. emigrants from Vila Nova de Foz Côa with the two local groups. From early in It is an impressive manifestation of that are spread across the four corners the morning, the Seafarers of the Douro religious devotion, in which the of the world, due to the thousands of river and the New and Old Commissions emotional aspect is evident in the benefits and graces that are Our Lady of Rasa, cross the streets of the city, Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Fields. of Veiga has bestowed upon Her carrying both the patron saints, St. devotees. It is crucial to participate in Christopher, protector of the boatmen of location: Santuário (Sanctuary) Nossa Senhora the Festival of Our Lady of Veiga in the river and patron saint of Mafamude, do Campo - Almendra order to understand the beliefs, desires St. Gonçalo, protector of the men of the GPS: N 41.000170 O -7.054021 and the ups and downs of the lives of sea and of diseases and St. Roch, patron the people of Vila Nova de Foz Côa. saint of the naval carpenters and contact protector against the pests. Parish Council of Almendra location: Praça do Município Since the 17th century to this day, this tel.:+351 279 713 362 GPS: N 41.083468 O -7.136006 festival is still celebrated. The festival

138 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 139 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL reaches its climax, loaded with a festivals in the municipality. FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF NOSSA certain erotic symbolism and fantasy Nonetheless, throughout the year, SENHORA DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY concerning the costumes and the many people visit the site. OF GOOD HEALTH) incorporation of ritual elements, when The beach and Alameda do Senhor da from August 12 to 15 the people say: “And here comes St. Pedra are additional reasons for a visit Gonçalo “, and answer it: “And he is and to enjoy moments of leisure. The Festival in honour of Our Lady of ours!”. “And he is ours!” Good Health (Nossa Senhora da location: Alameda do Senhor da Pedra - Saúde) takes place in Murado Hill, in a location: Parish of Mafamude e Santa Marinha Gulpilhares natural environment, on August 12, GPS: GPS: 41˚04’11.95”N 8˚39’15.11”W 13, 14 and 15, attracting thousands of Mafamude: 41˚07’32.0”N 8˚36’09.2”W visitors who wish to fulfil their Seafarers of the Douro River: 41˚08’15.0”N promises and pray. 8˚36’52.2”W FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF Next to the chapel, located at the top S. PEDRO DA AFURADA of this hill, an altar is built under an (ST. PETER) awning and it is here that two outdoor FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF SENHOR from June 20 to 30 Masses are usually held, one at 9:00 DA PEDRA (OUR LORD OF THE am and the other, the festival’s mass, ROCK) Every year, the fishermen, people of at 11:00 am. These are followed by a weekend after the Corpus Christi holiday great devotion, honour the saint with long procession, with an endless line great fanfare. In addition to the of believers, brightened by The Chapel of Our Lord of the Rock religious ceremonies, there is no philharmonic groups. (Senhor da Pedra) is located on a cliff shortage of the traditional grilled Thousands of pilgrims, who alternate bathed by the sea, on Miramar beach. sardines, with the typical cornbread of between carrying the long candles and Its architectural design and Avintes and the firework show. This the wooden platforms, descend and construction, based on a hexagonal festival reaches its climax when the round the cross and climb the steep central plan, may be traced back to procession departs. The wooden slope once again. the 17th century, although platforms carry actual size images of In addition to the entertainment documentary evidence points to the the saints and are followed by their events, there is no shortage of 18th century. Inside the chapel we believers who are duly dressed in the traditional roasted sardines, cod can find three Rococo-style traditional clothing of the fishing roasted on the grill, “caldo verde” polychrome gilded altarpieces and a people. The blessing of the boats takes (typical soup) with the typical wooden pulpit. The image of Our Lord place when the procession passes in cornbread, “rulotes de farturas” of the Rock, a Crucified Christ, is front of the Douro river, accompanied (caravans that sell strips of fried noteworthy. by the sound of sirens and mortars. dough), sweets and fruit. During the The popular cult of Our Lord of the day, people can enjoy the performances Rock is celebrated through the festival location: Fishing Centre of Afurada - Afurada of various music groups. The fireworks that takes place on the Sunday of the GPS: 41˚08’34.09”N 8˚38’52.61”W display starts at midnight. Holy Trinity and it is considered one of The famous Horse Race takes place the largest and most charismatic the following day, as well as the

140 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 141 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL “argolinhas” and the parade, while at contact streets are reminiscent of the contact night, people can once again enjoy the Town Council of Vila Pouca de Aguiar festivals of popular saints. Numerous City Council of Vila Real performances of music groups. This tel.:+351 259 419 100 people visit the festival to taste the tel.:+351 259 308 100 festival is considered one of the e-mail: [email protected] grilled sardines and the pork fillets, e-mail: [email protected] largest religious festivals in Gaia and www.cm-vpaguiar.pt served by several restaurants, which www.cm-vila real.pt in northern Portugal. place long tables on the streets. The festival continues throughout the location: Carvalhos - Pedroso VILA REAL night with plenty of musical FESTIVAL OF SENHORA DA PENA GPS: 41°03’36.8676”N 8°34’37.2612”W CITY FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF entertainment. (OUR LADY OF PENA) SANTO ANTÓNIO (ST. ANTHONY) 2nd Sunday of September contact from June 6 to 13 location: Rua Central, Largo da Capela Nova Tourism Office of Beira-rio GPS: N 41.178224 O -7.446878 Every year, in September, the parish of tel.:+351 223 773 088 The celebrations in honour of St. Mouçós is the stage of a unique e-mail: [email protected] Anthony (Santo António), the patron religious manifestation. The festivities www.cm-gaia.pt saint of Vila Real, are one of the CITY FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF in honour of Our Lady of Pena highlights of the Festivals of Vila Real, ST. PETER (S. PEDRO) (Senhora da Pena) gather thousands in which the city gains special colour, from June 28 and 29 of people who long to watch the VILA POUCA DE AGUIAR movement and joy. From the Maronês procession known by its monumental FESTIVAL OF VILA POUCA DE Cattle Fair and the National Maronês The St. Peter (S. Pedro) Fair closes wooden platforms: they reach 23 AGUIAR AND THE MUNICIPALITY Cattle Competition, to St. Anthony the cycle of festivals held throughout meters high (taller than the church July 31, August 1 and 2 Fair, including a wide range of cultural the month of June in Vila Real. It is in itself), weigh tons and are carried for and sports events, the life and Central Street, right in front of Capela about a hundred men. The end of the This is a popular and religious event, animation that fills Vila Real in these Nova, that tradition gains weight, with procession is marked by the traditional attended by numerous residents and days of celebration serves as an an important Crafts Fair (earthenware “Dance of the Platforms” around the emigrants. The entertainment includes excuse for its people to enjoy the of Bisalhães and linens of Agarez and church, in which despite their size and philharmonic bands, brass bands and warm weather and the clear harmony Mondrões) being held here. To crown weight each one is carried while bass drum performances, along with that its city gains. the festival’s night, an old tradition jumping up and down along the large-scale outdoor shows in the typical of Vila-Real is being revived: churchyard. At night, it is time to enjoy centre of the municipality’s location: Rua de Trás-os-Muros - Vila Velha the Pipkin game, in which groups of a feast and a firework show. Every headquarters. GPS: N 41.292874 O -7.745909 people spread through the historical year, the festival is organized by a The Sunday procession, dedicated to centre form circles and throw the different community in the parish. the patron saint of the municipality pipkin randomly, from hand to hand. It is important to note that the and the patron saints of the parishes, CITY FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF Whoever drops and breaks the pipkin wooden platform of Our Lady of Pena is the highlight of the celebrations, a S. JOÃO (ST. JOHN) will have to pay for (or according to is already included in the Guinness moment of great solemnity and June 23 tradition “to steal”) another pipkin! Book of Records. popular religiosity. The Festival of St. John (S. João) location: Rua Central, Largo da Capela Nova location: Senhora da Pena - Mouçós location: Rua Dr. António Gil takes place in the historical centre of GPS: N 41.178224 O -7.446878 GPS: N 41.316350 O -7.673172 GPS: 41°29’57.82”N 7°38’46.20”W Vila Real. All the decorations in the

142 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 143 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL contact FESTIVAL OF SANTO ANTÓNIO DE City Council of Vila Real MIXÕES DA SERRA tel.:+351 259 308 100 / www.cm-vilareal.pt June 6, 7 and 13

The Sanctuary of St. Anthony of VILA VERDE Mixões da Serra is located in the FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA DO parish of Valdreu, in Vila Verde. The BOM DESPACHO (OUR LADY OF main religious celebrations take place BOM DESPACHO) on June 13th. However, the most last weekend of May important day is the Sunday immediately preceding that day. The first mass celebrated in the The square in front of the sanctuary is Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bom Despacho filled with thousands of people and (Senhora do Bom Despacho) took place in animals that will participate in the 1644. One of the characteristics of this ceremony known as Blessing of the sanctuary is that the high altar is made of Animals. two large rocks, a sort of natural shelter that gives it a very peculiar aspect. These location: Mixões da Serra festivities are held every year in honour of GPS: 41°45’32.60”N 8°19’23.97”W the Virgin. The procession goes through the main streets of the parish until it contact reaches the sanctuary, culminating with Parish Council of Valdreu an outdoor mass. The locals lay the tel.:+351 967 263 992 / 253 351 151 carpet of flowers previously throughout e-mail: [email protected] the entire route of procession, which together with the best quilts that the families have, and which are displayed at MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL OF the windows, bring colour and joy to the ST. ANTHONY (SANTO ANTÓNIO) event and demonstrate the respect and from June 10 to 14 devotion to the Virgin. From June 10 to 14, Vila Verde will location: Parish of Cervães host one of the most famous festivals GPS: 41°35’57.47”N 8°32’00.02”W of Minho, the Municipal Festivals in honour of St. Anthony. contact For five days, countless events will Parish of Cervães offer its visitors unforgettable tel.:+351 253 925 448 / 253 924 166 / moments: the “rusgas” performances, 253 925 345 the bonfires, the “cantares ao desafio” e-mail: [email protected] (singing challenges) and the dazzling

144 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 145 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL firework shows. The folklore festivals, location: Parish of Soutelo Numerous people visit the sanctuary VINHAIS the marches, the Horse Races, the GPS: 41°37’35.62”N 8°26’02.94”W located in the immediate vicinity of FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA music shows and the Ethnographic this area, coming from all over the DA ASSUNÇÃO (OUR LADY OF THE Parade are noteworthy. contact district and other places (there are ASSUMPTION) The parishes and associations take part Parish of Soutelo even many emigrants who travel August 15 in the Ethnographic Parade, displaying tel.:+351 253 251 444 exclusively for the religious the authenticity of the culture and e-mail: [email protected] ceremonies) in order to honour the Celebration of the Marian devotion. traditions of the municipality. saint. This is the grand festival of Vinhais. The gastronomic area will be another Every year, a mass and procession are attraction for those who visit Vila Verde. VIMIOSO location: Santuário (Sanctuary) de held here since this saint is the town’s FESTIVAL OF S. LOURENÇO AND S. Bartolomeu patron saint. Due to the fact that the location: Centre of Vila Verde THE DAY OF THE MUNICIPALITY GPS: 41°39’40.15”N 6°37’43.55”W festival takes place in August, it brings GPS: 41°38’56.89”N 8°26´8.09”W August 10 together the emigrants from the region. contact The Festival in honour of St. Lawrence FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF Town Council of Vila Verde (S. Lourenço) is also the day of the SENHORA DAS GRAÇAS (OUR location: Vila de Vinhais tel.:+351 253 310 500 municipality. During this day, the LADY OF GRACE) GPS: N 41.822429 O -7.049844 e-mail: [email protected] farmers of the municipality meet in Last weekend of August www.cm-vilaverde.pt order to sell their animals (Mirandesa contact cattle breed). The Municipality The summer festival, in honour of Our Town Council of Vinhais organizes Bullfights and the Lady of Grace (Nossa Senhora das tel.:+351 273 770 300 FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA Competition of the Bovine Cattle of the Graças), is a manifestation of faith e-mail: [email protected] DO ALÍVIO (OUR LADY OF RELIEF) Mirandesa Breed. At night, there is a and local patriotism, preserving an www.cm-vinhais.pt 13 to 20 September musical show with a Portuguese artist. ancient ritual that the church itself cannot modify: during the procession, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Relief location: Municipal Park the wooden platform of the revered FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA (Nossa Senhora do Alívio) is an GPS: 41°34’59.97”N 6°31’50.92”W Saint stops in all the houses that have DA SAÚDE (OUR LADY OF GOOD important centre of pilgrimage. However, made promises or are just devoted in HEALTH) the most important days are the second order to attach the bills offered to the last weekend of August and third Sundays of September, when PILGRIMAGE AND FESTIVAL IN ribbons of the platform. the festival takes place. The procession HONOUR OF S. BARTOLOMEU Celebration of the Marian devotion. on the third Sunday is noteworthy and (ST. BARTHOLOMEW) location: Main Church of Carção An annual Mass and procession take its highlight includes the moment it August 24 GPS: 41°35’35.00”N 6°35’00.35”W place in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of leaves the centre of Vila Verde and Good Health (Nossa Senhora da Soutelo, next to the Cross of the Four Due to its fame across borders, the contact Saúde) in Vale de Janeiro, preceded by Evangelists, and heads toward the Festival of St. Bartholomew Town Council of Vimioso nine days of novenas. sanctuary, where believers attend the (S. Bartolomeu), which takes place tel.:+351 273 518 120 During this period, countless devotees Mass and fulfil their promises inside every year on August 24, is the best- e-mail: [email protected] visit this sanctuary in order fulfil their and around the sanctuary. known festival in the region. www.cm-vimioso.pt promises.

146 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 147 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL The chapel is located on a hill next to FESTIVAL OF NOSSA SENHORA FESTIVAL OF S. BENTO DAS Vale de Janeiro village, a natural DOS REMÉDIOS (OUR LADY OF PERAS (ST. BENEDICT OF PERAS) viewpoint with a magnificent view REMEDIES) July 11 and the following weekend over a vast area. September 8 The Festival in honour of St. Benedict location: Vale de Janeiro An annual Mass and procession takes of Peras, or “little St. Benedict” GPS: N 41.775573 O -7.087496 place in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of (“S. Bentinho”) as it is affectionately Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos known, takes place on July 11. The contact Remédios) in Tuizelo, preceded by great pilgrimage takes place on the UF Curopos and Vale de Janeiro novenas, celebrations that countless following Sunday. The image of the saint tel.:+351 273 679 153 pilgrims and devotees attend in order is taken to the Church of S. Miguel the to fulfil their promises. This festivity in night before and remains there for a honour of the Marian devotion is year. The same ritual is repeated when FESTIVAL OF ST. ANTHONY celebrated in a magnificent sanctuary the image is taken to the Church of (SANTO ANTÓNIO) dedicated to the Virgin of Remedies. Tagilde. The image leaves the churches 1st weekend of September on Sunday in pilgrimage to the top of the location: Tuizelo mountain, joining thousands of pilgrims, The Festival of St. Anthony of Vinhais GPS: N 41.895035 O -7.053323 who make their pilgrimage on foot, takes place on the first Sunday of singing and praying and the music praying and singing, or simply walking September and is attended by contact band enriching this moment of quietly and carrying red or white countless devotees that come from all Presidente da Junta de Freguesia de Tuizelo contemplation and praying with carnations in their mouths. It is also over the municipality and the tel.:+351 934 272 001 appropriate melodies. Another very common to see mothers carrying neighbouring municipalities, wishing to relevant procession is the Procession their children and thanking St. Benedict fulfil their promises there. of the Burial of the Lord. Due to the for the graces they were granted. A The Chapel of St. Anthony is located in VIZELA ostentation of the religious procession Mass is celebrated at the end of the a natural viewpoint that offers visitors HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES and biblical evocation, where walk. On Friday and Saturday nights, a magnificent view over the town and week before Easter innumerable children parade as “little there is some musical entertainment, the Rio Tuela valley. angels”, it attracts thousands of allowing families a moment to get Group of religious festivities held in believers to the city. together, enjoying traditional picnics location: Vinhais the parishes of S. João and S. Miguel, and playing traditional games. GPS: N 41.829119 O -6.992808 in the city of Vizela. The religious location: City Centre - União das Freguesias de ceremonies take place throughout the Caldas de Vizela (S. Miguel and S. João) location: Rua Monte de S. Bento contact week, including the “Procissão dos GPS: N 41.223313 O -8.183198 GPS: N 41.230574 O -8.171681 Parish Council of Vinhais Entrevados” (Procession of the tel.:+351 273 772 695 Paralytic), which is a public procession contact contact followed by many people through the Parish of S. Miguel Confraria de S. Bento streets. This public manifestation of tel.:+351 253 587 526 tel.:+351 965 756 214 faith to the Blessed Sacrament visits e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] every sick person, with the crowd [email protected] www.saobento-vizela.blogspot.pt

148 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 149 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL CITY AND MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL OF VIZELA 1st two weeks of August

This festival takes place in August and began in a very simple way, in 1953. In 1956, it was celebrated with more vigour, creating a remarkable tradition in Vizela and bringing numerous visitors to the city. This festival, which has a clear cultural element, is the manifestation of the pleasure and good humour of the people from Vizela. Their willingness make it the biggest tourist attraction of the region. Nowadays, the “Vizela of Old Times” Parade is considered the most important attraction of the entire festive calendar. It is held on the night of the last day of the festival and portrays the golden age of thermal spas. This parade includes hundreds of extras, majorettes, samba schools, music bands and various floats. Every day, there are plenty of activities and entertainment offered by the locals and those who wish to join them. ’t miss the opportunity to visit the municipality of Vizela and enjoy this festival. location: city centre - União das Freguesias de Caldas de Vizela (S. Miguel and S. João) GPS: N 41.226180 O -8.184970 contact Festivals of Vizela tel.:+351 968 288 489 e-mail: [email protected] www.festasdevizela.com

150 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 151 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Alfândega da Fé TOURISM OFFICE of SOAJO tel.:+351 276 410 200 Carrazeda de Ansiães e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] TOURISM OFFICE Junta de Freguesia - Lugar de Eiró e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cm-cinfaes.pt www.cm-freixoespadacinta.pt Largo de S. Sebastião tel.:+351 258 576 747 www.cm-boticas.pt Praça do CITICA www.redescobrircinfaes.pt tel.:+351 279 462 739 e-mail: tel.:+351 278 098 507 Gondomar e-mail: [email protected] Braga e-mail: [email protected] Espinho INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP [email protected] www.cmav.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cmca.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Travessa da Convenção de Gramido, nº41 www.cm-alfandegadafe.pt Av. da Liberdade, nº1 Alameda 8 - Centro Comercial tel.:+351 224 664 310 Armamar tel.:+351 253 262 550 Castelo de Paiva Solverde II e-mail: [email protected] Alijó INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 224 901 316 www.cm-gondomar.pt TOURISM OFFICE Av. Dr. António Oliveira Salazar www.cm-braga.pt Largo do Conde e-mail: [email protected] Avenida 25 de Abril tel.:+351 254 850 807 tel.:+351 255 689 500 www.cm-espinho.pt Guimarães

TOURIST INFORMATION TOURIST tel.:+351 259 950 095 e-mail: [email protected] Bragança e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-armamar.pt TOURISM OFFICE www.cm-castelo-paiva.pt Esposende Praça de S. Tiago http://turismo.cm-alijo.pt/ Av. Cidade de Zamora INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 253 421 221 Arouca tel.:+351 273 381 273 Celorico de Basto Av. Eduardo Arantes de Oliveira, nº62 e-mail: [email protected] Amarante INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 253 961 354 www.guimaraesturismo.com INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP - GEOPARK www.cm-braganca.pt Praça Cardeal D. António Ribeiro e-mail: [email protected] Largo Conselheiro António Cândido Rua Abel Botelho, nº4 tel.:+351 255 323 100 www.visitesposende.com/pt Lamego tel.:+351 255 420 246 tel.:+351 256 940 258 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Rua Abílio Beça [email protected] Fafe Rua Regimento de Infantaria, nº9 www.cm-amarante.pt/turismo/ www.cm-arouca.pt tel.:+351 273 304 200 www.mun-celoricodebasto.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 254 609 600 e-mail: [email protected] Praça 25 de Abril e-mail: [email protected] Amares Baião www.cm-braganca.pt Chaves tel.:+351 253 504 294 / 962 118 946 www.cm-lamego.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP - CALDELAS INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE e-mail: [email protected] Av. Afonso Manuel Pereira de Azevedo, Jardim Dr. José Teixeira da Silva Cabeceiras de Basto Praça de Camões www.cm-fafe.pt Lousada nº211 tel.:+351 255 540 562 TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 276 340 500 / ext 416 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 253 368 540 e-mail: [email protected] Praça da Republica, nº203 e-mail: [email protected] Felgueiras Praça D. António Meireles, nº18 e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-baiao.pt tel.:+351 253 669 100/253 669 070 www.chaves.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Tel. 255 820 580 www.cm-amares.pt e-mail: [email protected] Casa das Torres e-mail: [email protected] Barcelos http://cabeceirasdebasto.pt TOURISM OFFICE of vidago Av. Dr. Magalhães Lemos, nº23 www.cm-lousada.pt Arcos de Valdevez TOURISM OFFICE Estrada Nacional 2, nº23/25 tel.:+351 255 925 468 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Largo Dr. José Novais, nº27 Caminha e-mail: [email protected] e-mail [email protected] Macedo de Cavaleiros Rua Prof. Dr. Mário Júlio Almeida Costa tel.:+351 253 811 882 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.chaves.pt www.cm-felgueiras.pt TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 258 520 530 e-mail: [email protected] Praça Conselheiro Silva Torres Casa Falcão e-mail: www.cm-barcelos.pt tel.:+351 258 921 952 Cinfães Freixo de Espada à Cinta Largo Manuel Pinto de Azevedo [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 278 426 193 www.cmav.pt Boticas www.caminhaturismo.pt Capitão Salgueiro Maia - Quinta do Praça Jorge Alvares - Edifício e-mail: INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Aido Biblioteca Municipal [email protected] Rua Gomes Monteiro, nº3 tel.:+351 255 561 051 tel.:+351 279 653 480 www.cm-macedodecavaleiros.pt

152 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 153 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL Maia welcome centre Mesão Frio Monção Paços de Ferreira e-mail: [email protected] Póvoa de Lanhoso INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE www.cm-pesoregua.pt TOURISM OFFICE Parque Central da Maia - 1º Piso, Av. Conselheiro José Maria Alpoim, Praça Deu-la-Deu Martins Praça Dr. Luís Largo Barbosa e Castro Loja 19 nº432 tel.:+351 251 649 013 tel.:+351 300 400 014 Ponte da Barca tel.:+351 253 639 708 Rua Simão Bolívar tel.:+351 933 911 043 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 229 444 732 e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-moncao.pt www.cm-pacosdeferreira.pt Rua Conselheiro Rocha Peixoto, nº9 www.mun-planhoso.pt e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-mesaofrio.pt tel.:+351 258 455 246 www.visitmaia.pt Mondim de Basto Paredes e-mail: Póvoa de Varzim Miranda DO Douro INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Marco de Canaveses TOURISM OFFICE Praça do Município Largo da Estacão, nº227 www.cmpb.pt Largo do Passeio Alegre INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Largo do Menino Jesus da Cartolinha tel.:+351 255 389 370 tel.:+351 255 788 952 tel.:+351 252 090 190 Alameda Dr. Miranda da Rocha tel.:+351 273 431 132 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Ponte de Lima e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 255 538 800 e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-mondimdebasto.pt www.cm-paredes.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cm-pvarzim.pt e-mail: loja.turismo@cm-marco- www.cm-mdouro.pt Torre da Cadeia Velha canaveses.pt Montalegre Paredes de Coura Passeio 25 de Abril, nº29 Resende www.marcodecanaveses.pt Mirandela INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 258 240 208 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE Ecomuseu de Barroso - Espaço Padre Largo Visconde de Moselos - Ap.6 e-mail: [email protected] Rua José Pereira Monteiro Matosinhos Rua D. Afonso III Fontes tel.:+351 251 780 100 www.cm-pontedelima.pt Tel. 254 871 031 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP (next to CP Station building) Terreiro do Açougue, nº11 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Av. General Norton de Matos tel.:+351 278 203 143 tel.:+351 276 510 203 www.cm-paredes-coura.pt Porto www.cm-resende.pt tel.:+351 229 392 412 e-mail: e-mail: [email protected] TOURISM OFFICE CENTRO e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] www.cm-montalegre.pt Penafiel Rua Clube dos Fenianos, nº25 Ribeira de Pena www.cm-matosinhos.pt www.cm-mirandela.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 223 393 472 TOURISM OFFICE Murça Largo Padre Américo e-mail: [email protected] Praça do Município TOURISM OFFICE of Leça da Palmeira Mogadouro TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 255 710 702 www.visitporto.travel tel.:+351 259 490 500 Rua Hintze Ribeiro INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Alameda 8 de Maio e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 229 392 413 Avenida dos Comandos tel.:+351 259 510 120 www.cm-penafiel.pt TOURISM OFFICE Sé www.cm-rpena.pt e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 279 340 501 e-mail: [email protected] (casa da câmara) www.cm-matosinhos.pt e-mail: camaramogadouro@mail. www.cm-murca.pt Penedono Terreiro da Sé Sabrosa telepac.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 223 393 472 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Melgaço www.cm-mogadouro.pt Oliveira de Azeméis Praça 25 de Abril e-mail: [email protected] Rua do Loreto INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 254 508 174/925 200 170 www.visitporto.travel tel.:+351 259 939 575 Praça da Republica, nº133 Moimenta da Beira Rua. Dr. Ernesto Soares dos Reis, nº156 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 251 402 440 TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 256 674 463 www.cm-penedono.pt PORTO WELCOME CENTRE www.sabrosa.pt e-mail: [email protected] Terreiro das Freiras e-mail: [email protected] Praça Almeida Garrett, nº27 www.cm-melgaco.pt tel.:+351 254 520 103 www.cm-oaz.pt Peso da Régua tel.:+351 258 820 270 Santa Maria da Feira e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cm-moimenta.pt Av. Douro www.portoenorte.pt Rua Dr. Roberto Alves, nº52 tel.:+351 254 320 230 tel.:+351 256 370 802

154 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 155 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL e-mail: [email protected] Tabuaço Vale de Cambra Vieira do Minho e-mail: camaramunicipal@ Vimioso www.cm-feira.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP vilanovadefamalicao.org TOURISM OFFICE Rua Conde Ferreira Av. Camilo Tavares de Matos, nº458 Praça do Bombeiro Voluntario www.vilanovadefamalicao.org Largo Mendo Rufino Santa Marta de Penaguião tel.:+351 254 789 049 tel.:+351 256 420 510 tel.:+351 253 649 240 tel.:+351 273 518 120 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Vila Nova de Foz Côa e-mail: [email protected] Rua dos Combatentes www.cm-tabuaco.pt www.cm-valedecambra.pt www.cm-vminho.pt TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE www.cm-vimioso.pt tel.:+351 254 810 130 Av. G. Coutinho e S. Cabral, nº 9/13 e-mail: [email protected] Tarouca VALENÇA DO MINHO Vila do Conde tel.:+351 279 760 329 Vinhais www.cm-smpenaguiao.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP TOURISM OFFICE INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] TOURISM OFFICE Av. Prof. Leite Vasconcelos Paiol do Campo de Marte Rua Cais das Lavandeiras www.cm-fozcoa.pt Praça do Município Santo Tirso tel.:+351 254 781 461 Coroada - Praça Forte de Valença tel.:+351 252 248 445 tel.:+351 273 770 309 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 251 823 329/251 823 374 e-mail: [email protected] Vila Nova de Gaia e-mail: [email protected] Praça 25 de Abril www.tarouca.pt e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-viladoconde.pt INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cm-vinhais.pt tel.:+351 252 830 411 www.cm-valenca.pt Av. Diogo Leite, nº135 e-mail: [email protected] Terras de Bouro TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 223 758 288 Vizela www.cm-stirso.pt TOURISM OFFICE Valongo Rua 25 de Abril nº103 e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Av. Dr. Paulo Marcelino, nº33 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 252 248 473 www.cm-gaia.pt Rua Dr. Alfredo Pinto, nº42 - Caldas São João da Madeira tel.:+351 253 351 404 Rua de S. Mamede, s/n e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 253 489 644 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 222 426 490 www.cm-viladoconde.pt Vila Pouca de Aguiar e-mail: [email protected] Torre da Oliva, Rua Oliveira Júnior, www.cm-terrasdebouro.pt e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.cm-vizela.pt nº 591 www.cm-valongo.pt Vila Flor Av. Lopes Oliveira - Pedras Salgadas tel.:+351 256 200 204 Torre de Moncorvo TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 259 439 000 AEROPUERTO DE SÁ CARNEIRO e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Valpaços Largo Doutor Alexandre de Matos email: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.turismoindustrial.cm-sjm.pt Rua dos Sapateiros, nº15 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 278 512 373 www.cm-vpaguiar.pt Aeroporto do Porto, Pedras Rubras tel.:+351 279 252 289 Av. Eng.º Luís de Castro Saraiva e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 258 820 270 São João da Pesqueira e-mail: [email protected] tel.:+351 278 710 130 www.cm-vilaflor.pt Vila Real e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.torredemoncorvo.pt e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.portoenorte.pt Avenida Marques de Soveral, nº79 www.valpacos.pt Vila Nova de Cerveira Av. Carvalho Araujo, nº94 tel.:+351 300 400 996 Trofa INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 259 308 170 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Viana do Castelo P. do Município, Edif. da Casa do Turismo e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.sjpesqueira.pt Parque N. S. Dores e Dr. Lima Carneiro TOURISM OFFICE tel.:+351 251 708 023 www.cm-vilareal.pt Rua do Vilar, nº30-32 - Baixo D Rua Padre Joaquim Augusto da Viana Welcome Center e-mail: [email protected] tel:.+34 981 565 590 Sernancelhe Fonseca Pedrosa Praça do Eixo Atlântico www.cm-vncerveira.pt Vila Verde e-mail: [email protected] INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP Fórum Trofa XXI, nº92 tel.:+351 258 098 415 INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP www.portoenorte.pt Av. Doutor Oliveira Serrão, nº6 tel.:+351 965 862 971 email: [email protected] Vila Nova de Famalicão Praça da Republica tel.:+351 254 598 300 e-mail: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/ INTERACTIVE TOURIST SHOP tel.:+351 253 310 582 e-mail: [email protected] www.mun-trofa.pt vivexperiencia.pt Praça D. Maria II e-mail: [email protected] www.cm-sernancelhe.pt tel.:+351 252 320 900 www.cm-vilaverde.pt

156 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES 157 | NORTHERN PORTUGAL general coordination translation www.portoenorte.pt Isabel Ferreira de Castro BabeliUM Centro de Línguas da Universidade do Minho technical coordination Paula Reis printing Lidergraf organization Isabel Lima legal deposit 442569/18 technical team Isabel Lima edition Pedro Botelho tpnp@2018 Sandra Martins texts and photographs Municipalities represented design Cristina Lamego

158 | FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES Turismo do Porto e Norte www.portoenorte.pt de Portugal, E.R. Castelo de Santiago da Barra [email protected] 4900-360 Viana do Castelo tel.: +351 258 820 270 Portugal edition©tpnp ‘18