Sunday 21 August 2016

Viana Castelo - Nª Sª Agonia

The "Feasts of Nossa Senhora da Agonia" are a celebration that occurs every year in the city of Viana do Castelo, located on the north coast of Portugal. Since 1783 this Pilgrimage has taken place in the month of August, encompassing the 20th (municipal holiday of the city).

In these festivals the city is full of animation and celebrates around the Lady of the Agony (patron saint of the fishermen), going back to the oldest times.

During the days of the Pilgrimage, the program is complete. Every year there is a Handcraft Fair, a musical show, fireworks every day at midnight always in different places of the city, meetings of Philharmonic Bands of the Municipality of Viana do Castelo, a Parade of Stewardship that Is held on one of the days of the Pilgrimage at 10am, the Ethnographic Courtship that normally takes place on Saturday this week afternoon and a Concertinas and Songs to the Challenge festival.

On the last day of the celebrations, there is always the solemn Eucharistic celebration followed by a procession to the sea, and the day before the evening there is the confection of the "Floral Rugs" on the streets of Ribeira.

The photos are related to the Pilgrimage, that lasts for most of the day.