Senhor de Matosinhos Religious Festivities: :
Senhor de Matosinhos Religious Festivities: The celebration of the Lord of Matosinhos is a highlight of the festivities in our city. These festivities go through the months of May and June and last for nearly three weeks of religious holidays and leisure, cultural and sportive activities. Thousands of lights illuminate the space of the party and the Church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, which altars are decorated with flowers. From this temple, work of Nasoni, comes out a grand catholic procession in honour of Matosinhos patron.
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Bands going up the streets and traditional drum players, present crafts and typical dishes, to celebrate the legends and regional traditions.
Special food treats are sold everywhere.
The fair is huge and spreads over some specific city streets. Many countries are represented there, even from Africa!
There are bonfires festivities, especially on the Saturday before the religious holiday. By then the spectacle is huge and amazing.
History / Legend: :
History / Legend: The image of the Lord of Matosinhos is one of the oldest in Christendom. Legend says that this statue was carved by Nicodemus who threw it to the Mediterranean and it was washed away and then arrived to the shore in Matosinhos, losing an arm in the journey. The population of Bouças rose a temple at the image of Our Lord Bouças. Years later a woman who was collecting firewood on the beach, found a piece of wood, which is said to be the lost arm. She took it home to lit the fire.
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At home, she threw it into the fire, but this piece of wood kept jumping out of the fireplace. Her daughter, handicapped from birth, made her desperate gestures to say something, Finally told her the piece of wood was the arm of the Lord of Bouças. The population found that the arm fit the image and since then has been venerated by all.
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Work done by:
Ana Correia
Diana Ribeiro
Joana Martins
9th C
E.B. 2,3 de Perafita
2009-2010