Festa das Tochas Floridas, Sao Bras de Alportel

Easter Sunday March 23, 2008

This morning we woke up to amazing blue skies, so I took a panorama from our apartment balcony. Not too shabby!

Then after a great Easter morning breakfast, we headed out. We passed a great view of Portimao.

We had a very unique experience today, one that will be best told in pictures – so I’m posting lots of them. We visited the inland town of Sao Bras de Alportel, about 45 minutes from us and just north of the airport in Faro. Every Easter Sunday they have a festival with a procession of flower torches through the flower-covered streets. I think I’ve seen pictures of this before, but you really had to be there to appreciate it.

They lined the streets with rows of flower decorations, with garnishes of rosemary and cedar. Somebody had gone to a lot of time and trouble to lay out these flowers.


The flowers were generally spring varieties like calla lilies, irises and birds of paradise. They were also many types of flowers we couldn’t recognize. Many but not all of the bouquets had candles at the top – I guess they burn them in the evening, because although we only stayed for the parade, the festival lasts all day.


The principle torches were carried exclusively by the men, but later in the procession, we found women bearing the cross – interesting - and children carrying small bouquets. We wondered who actually constructed the torches, which would be judged later in the day, since many of the men carrying them were of the young studly type.


This procession actually did include one band, but since it began from the church, the priests led with the torch bearers and the band followed. Like any European festival, this one had its share of tents set up selling those great deep-fried beignets – kinda like beaver tails – and some interesting cakes with anise and full hard boiled eggs. Of course you have to try these things.


We got back to the apartment shortly after noon and had a nice balcony lunch, to be followed by soaking up the sun time. The air was still cool but the sun was hot. What a great combination! Happy Easter!