Holy Week in BragaEaster and Holy Week are celebrated in
Braga as in no other town in Portugal. Throughout this festive season, the city
is decorated in religious motifs and the “Passos” – street altars – are filled with flowers and lights.
During the Holy week, visitors and devotees gather along the darkened streets
to witness three great processions.
Wednesday’s Procession: “Procissão de Nossa Senhora
da Burrinha”
Our Lady travels on a donkey and is followed by all the religious scenes of Christ’s life.
Thursday’s Procession: The Senhor Ecce-Hommo procession
This procession is mainly centred in the ‘Farricocos’, (barefoot men in black tunics with hoods), that hold torches in a re-enactment of the rites of public penitence and reconciliation common to the 16th century.
On Good Friday: Our Lord’s funeral procession “Enterro
do Senhor” Under a shroud of silence, the 'Penitência'
procession takes place representing Christ’s final steps while being led to Calvary.
Weeping women
And thus ends this majestic cycle of the Holy Week processions and starts the beginning of
the Easter celebrations.
Easter Sunday Easter Sunday starts with an Easter
Mass celebration held early in the morning
After the Mass, the priest and the “mordomo” (host of the feast) holding a cross in his hands, go by every house to announce the resurrection of Christ and to bless the homes and people who live there.
“Procissão das tochas”Procession of the torches, transported only by men.
In S. Brás de Alportel (Algarve)
During the Easter visit, it is traditional to set a table with sweets and beverages, so that at the end of the blessings, everyone celebrates with the family!
There are always traditional cakes: the “folar”, “pão-de-ló”, almonds, eggs and many other delicacies.