The Festa das Cruzes, in the municipality of Barcelos, takes place annually and is considered the first great pilgrimage in Minho, a mix of color, tradition and popular entertainment.
The origin of the celebration dates back to the 16th century and is associated with what many consider a miracle. Speaking to Renascença, Father Manuel da Rocha, responsible for the Parish of Santa Maria Maior de Barcelos, tells of “the miracle of the luminous cross”, which marks the history of the municipality to this day.
“A young woman, Luisinha, found, during a shipwreck, a piece of wood (which was a cross). Then, she brought it home and, at a certain point, she wanted to throw that piece into the fire and, when she tried to throw it, a bright light radiated from it, which illuminated the house”, explains the clergyman.
But the miracle doesn’t stop there. “Then, there was a nobleman, named Dom Pedro Martins, who by force wanted to marry Luisinha, and the father did not agree, so the nobleman persecuted them. At a certain point he went to Luisinha and also came across this luminous cross. This provoked a change in his behavior, a conversion, and he began to believe in Christ. From then on, this mark remained in the history of Barcelos”, adds Father Manuel da Rocha.
The “miracle of the luminous cross” also motivated the construction of the Temple of Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz, where the solemn Eucharist of the feast is celebrated, on May 3rd, the municipality’s holiday date.
On the same day, the “Great Procession of the Invention of the Holy Cross” takes place, which, according to Father Manuel da Rocha, “is the highlight of the celebrations”. The procession brings together the various crosses from the 89 parishes of Barcelos.
The Festa das Cruzes takes place from April 30th to May 5th, in the municipality of Barcelos, days when the city is filled with flowers, gastronomy, music and, of course, crosses.
