Portugal, the western edge of the European continent, is a country of strong religious tradition and tradition, as is evident from the many unique customs and local celebrations repeated annually throughout the country at Easter time.
And it is that during the Easter in Portugal, thousands of pilgrims travel to Porto. the city that gives its name to the whole country and also to wine, in addition to Easter eggs, text readings and traditional processions and shows, there are also concerts that are held around the city, offering an activity in which those who do not have Religious convictions can also join the celebrations.
On Good Friday, in the town of sapiaosIn the far north, residents recreate the Via Crucis. Devotees follow the trail on foot, stopping at each of the stations to sing and read the texts of the biblical story of the Passion of Christ.
And on the Atlantic coast, the medieval walled city of obidos it is like an open air museum. Its narrow streets and whitewashed houses provide a perfect backdrop for Holy Week processions and reenactments. Records of Holy Week celebrations in the city date back to the XNUMXth century, and today include masses, processions, concerts, lectures, children's activities, exhibitions, and recitals. Two torchlight processions with religious statues stand out.
And the procession fogareus It is the awe-inspiring highlight of the Easter celebrations in the picturesque inland village of the Sardoal. Fogareus is the Portuguese of the bonfires and the procession, all the lights go out and the streets are simply illuminated by thousands of candles, lanterns and torches carried by the penitents.
In addition to an interesting program of cultural activities and events, the Holy Week celebrations in the city of Castelo de Vide Christian and Jewish culture and tradition intermingle, in keeping with the historical roots of the city.
It should be noted the blessing of the lambs on Holy Saturday, where the shepherds lead their flocks in the center of the city to be blessed before being sold, the Resurrection Sunday Procession with its parade of local guilds and associations, and the day of feast on Easter Monday, which commemorates the Virgen de Luz.
While on the streets of Sao Bras de Alportel, some ten kilometers inland from the Algarve coast, are filled with flowers and flaming torches on Easter Sunday to greet the Resurrection procession. Regional desserts and sweets are a specialty of the season and can be tasted throughout Sao Sebastiao, located in the center of the city.
En Monchique, a pretty market in the wooded mountain range in the northwest of the Algarve, the Thursday night procession fills the streets with warm candlelight. On Friday, the procession of the Burial of Christ and celebrated on Easter Sunday is not the Procession of the Resurrection. As in other parts of Portugal, neighbors decorate the facades of houses along the routes of the procession by hanging, colorful bedspreads and shawls from the windows and balconies.
The biggest Easter in Portugal is in the ancient city of Braga, in the Porto e Norte region. The city is adorned with motifs alluding to the occasion and the “Pasos”, street altars, are filled with flowers and lights, complementing the sumptuousness of the churches.
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