Santos Populares

Popular Saints
June is the month when the so called
“popular saints” are celebrated.
- Lisbon - Santo António - fireworks,
manjericos and parades along the
most popular and traditional
streets and avenues.
- Oporto and Braga celebrate S. João
- Póvoa de Varzim and Afurada
celebrate S. Pedro
At these nights there is always a lot
of fun and joy in the streets, dancing,
traditional folk music, ballons and
tasty sardines.
São João
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Oporto’s Patron
24th of June it’s the city holiday
Celebrated the night of 23rd to
24th
Concerts of folk music
Barbecue of sardines with bread
and wine
São João
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All night long
Young people usually go
through the main coast
line avenue till the
beach to see the sun
rising.
São João
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One of the most well known
characteristics are the so called St.
John’s cascades. These cascades
are a kind of animated nativity
scenes made with sculptures to
cheer and honour the saint.
São João
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The party makers use to amuse
themselves hitting each other’s
heads with colourful plastic
hammers.
São João
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St John´s balloons and “manjericos”.
São João
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Fireworks at the D. Luis Bridge
São João
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No dia de S. João
as sardinhas vou assar
com o vinho e o pão
para me acompanhar!
No S. João
há alegria e harmonia
com os foguetes a lançar
e os balões a acompanhar!
Santo Antonio
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Lisbon’s Patron
It’s the city holiday
13th of June
Known as the “Match Maker”
Santo Antonio
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Many people choose to get married in
that day because they say it’s a
“blessed day”
“Noivas de Santo António” – 100
couples get married on the 13th June
and the City Hall pays for everything
and gives the couple presents for their
new life.
Santo Antonio
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At night, there are parades
Until dawn, people gather all around
the city having fun, eating sardines
with hot bread and drinking wine.
Sao Pedro
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29th June
He is the patron of the fishermen and
the keeper of the Heavenly gate.
Sao Pedro
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Fire places are litten, fireworks are
burnt and processions (organized by
the fishermen’s widows) take place to
worship and pay him a tribute.
Popular Saints