There is the first great pilgrimage in Minho. Festa das Cruzes starts tomorrow in Barcelos

It’s tomorrow, Tuesday, that the first great pilgrimage in Minho begins, the Festa das Cruzes, in Barcelos.

“Everything is ready”, guarantees the Chamber, highlighting that “the city is decorated, the popular fair has been experiencing major flooding for days, on the Riverfront, the stage awaits big concerts, the usual place for “Bamos das Cruzes” is preparing for nights of great vibrancy, in short, the city and the municipality have open arms to welcome those who come to the first great pilgrimage in Portugal”.

“To talk about the Festa das Cruzes is to talk about the perfect union between tradition and entertainment, in a wedding that unites the religious and the profane, in a wedding that brings forgiveness to the table, that brings hundreds of thousands of people to the streets”, highlights the municipality.

For the president of the Chamber, Mário Constantino Lopes, “the Festa das Cruzes is the symbiosis between tradition, fun, conviviality and fraternity, a moment that exalts the traditions, culture and hospitality of the people of Barcelona, ​​combining all of this with a comprehensive, diverse program that will please everyone who takes part in the festivities”.

This year, the Festa das Cruzes will once again be organized by the Municipality of Barcelona, ​​in collaboration with EMEC, the Real Irmandade do Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz and the Parish of Barcelos.

Xutos & Pontapés, Ana Moura, Fernando Daniel and Os Quatro e Meia and six fireworks sessions are some of the highlights of the pilgrimage.

The Frente Ribeirinha venue, where the concerts will take place, has the capacity to accommodate around 20 thousand people.

In addition to these four major concerts, on the Barcelos stage, located on Avenida da Liberdade, the silver of the house is represented by the Bands M&M and Belcanto.

But the entertainment and recreation program includes Bands on the Bandstand, RTP’s “Aqui Portugal” Program, Philharmonic Bands Concert, Barcelos on the Camino de Santiago with associated activities, Luso-Galaico Festival, Ethnographic Parade by the Barcelos Folkloric Groups and closing concert on Avenida da Liberdade.

Also noteworthy are the typical Minho festivals and their fireworks sessions. There are six major pyrotechnic sessions that include: Fogo de Pilgrimage; Pyromusical Fire; Fire of Santiago; Fire of the Crosses; Fogo da Ponte and, at the end of the Festival, Fogo Preso Tradicional.

Solemn Mass, Procession of the Invention of the Holy Cross, Natural Petal Carpets

On a religious level, the Grand Procession of the Invention of the Holy Cross stands out, which takes to the streets on May 3rd, a municipal holiday, and became the great cult manifestation of the festivities.

Once again, the procession will feature Crosses from the municipality’s 89 parishes. Before that, there will be a Solemn Mass celebrated at the Temple of Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz, where, from April 30th, the Natural Floral Petal Carpets, another ex-libris of the Crosses, will be on display.

Located on the Campo da Feira grounds and in Parque da Cidade, the Feira Popular this year recorded a record number of participants, particularly in relation to the Food Court. In total, 463 operators are installed at the Festa das Cruzes

Buses in Parishes and in the Urban Zone

More lines, more buses and free travel. This year, the Municipality of Barcelos extended the mobility plan for the Festa das Cruzes period. In addition to the urban TUBA “special Come and Go”, the City Council extended the TUBA offer to the entire municipality, with the TUBA service “special parishes”. In addition, there are 26 car parks with capacity for more than five thousand vehicles.

CP – Comboios de Portugal is also associated with the Festa das Cruzes and, on the May 1st holiday, it will expand the number of seats available on the Interregional service 853, 830, 831 and 856. On May 3rd, the municipal holiday, there will also be an expanded offer of seats available on the Inter-regional service 853 and 830. In addition to the greater offer of seats, CP informs that, on these holidays of the 1st and 3rd of May, the Celtic train 420 and 423 will stop at Barcelos station.