Festa das Tochas Floridas

São Brás de Alportel host its traditional ‘Festa das Tochas Floridas’ every year on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ .   The festival was historically a tradition for many Portuguese villages but now Sao Bras de Alportel is the last to keep the tradition.  The Resurrection Procession then begins late morning with the village men carrying beautiful elaborate torches of flowers. Throughout the procession, the men sing a chorus of “Ressuscitou como disse! Aleluia! Aleluia! Aleluia!”, which means “Risen, as he said. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”  We always go a few hours early in order to walk around, see the spectacular floral designs and watch many of the folks arrive with their “torches” held high in the air to protect them as they head to the church.

Although I’ve been a few times, it always moves me and I look forward to going and being part of the experience.

When we parked in São Brás de Alportel we walked past this lovely old chimney.

Imagine having to prepare all these wild flowers for these designs!! And having only night to set it all up!

These designs are about two feet by two feet. And there are hundreds of them throughout the streets

Gorgeous freesia used to create the centre of one of the designs. Heavenly scent.

As you can see, this stretches on forever, it covers about three or four lengthy streets leading to the church.

Our crew enjoying the flowers.

Dennis….ready, aim shoot!

Easter is probably the most celebrated festival in Portugal

More designs.

Love this one and the colours.

The “junction” of the four streets.

Miss Laurie taking it all in and enjoying the sunshine.

The local people hang their blankets, coverlets etc outside to be blessed by the Priest on his way through to ensure fertility!!!!! I guess we know what they are all up too Easter Sunday afternoon!!

This was quite a lovely cover.

The fish of course!

The church in the old part of town where the service takes place.

Just outside the church.

I peeked in and took a snap

You’d think they were watching for Santa or the Easter Bunny!!

Even the local critters got in on it.

You can be certain they were up to no good…..look at those big smiles and belly laughs

Another mischievous grin!

And yet another……..belly laughs galore.

Some of the flower arrangements as they arrived

Look at the detail.

I remember this crew from the last few years. They are always laughing and having fun.

Beautiful arrangement. Imagine the work that goes into this!

Look a this one…..WOW

Joanne enjoying a pensive moment during the procession.

More details

And more….

And more…….

OK…is it just me or does he sort of resemble somebody we think of on Easter Sunday???

It was a wonderful way to spend the morning.  We walked back to the car then headed into Estoi for a prearranged lamb lunch at Snack Bar Com Tradições in Estoi.  Simão had made an incredible lamb stew…

Passed this on our way to the restaurant…..it called out to be photographed!

Look at the three of them!! Individually they are each a force to be reckoned with! Combined…lethal!

The ever smiling Susie enjoying a relaxing time on the patio………..we love seeing her here.

Poor Gwen….hadn’t even sipped her vino and already the Old Girl has nodded off!!!!! She was actually on her phone textig!

Our amazing lunch…….delicious fried bread lining the bowl…..rich garlicky lamb broth with succulent lamb and potatoes…….9 empty bowls at the end.

Laurie is not a lamb lover so she enjoyed this ham pizza.

Just look at them all…….hungry and happy

It was a great day…….we have so much to be grateful for.  Oh yes, we also had a special visitor on the patio today………..