Lisbon's Popular Saints Festivals
13th June marks the midway point of an important month of celebrations during the Santos Populares, or Popular Saints Festival. It is also Santo Antonio Day, which has been credited as the longest night of the year in Lisbon due to the extensive celebrations dedicated to Lisbon's patron saint. As the combined saint of love, marriage, and lost things; there are assorted festivities which extend across the city with traditions involving everything from pots of basil to sardines to marriage ceremonies!
St Antonio, born in Lisbon, was associated with a number of miracles which led to his recognition as the guy in charge of lost things! This association makes him one of the Catholic Church's most renowned saints, largely linked to an official prayer which benefits the recooperation of missing artefacts. Yet, more locally in Lisbon, he is more well known as a matchmaker and patron saint for singles.
The day itself combines all that St Antonio is identified with in an unforgettable and longlasting celebration. Everywhere, the scent of basil and grilled sardines mix in the air as quaint street food stalls appear on every corner. It is tradition to offer a potted basil plant to loved ones, supplied with a written expression of love. Yet romance aside, sardines are arguably the most prominent emblem of St Antonio Day with the fish being linked to Antonio as one of the only foods he consumed during his vow of poverty. The small fish are grilled and consumed in impressive quantities throughout the festival as well as being used for inspiration for decorations.
As day moves in to night, the streets fill with music and dancers showcasing unique choreographies which have been practiced throughout the preceding year. As people watch, squeezed together in the streets or from balconies above, the taste of sardines is washed down with cups of beer or sangria. St Antonio Day comes with a warning of packed pavements and chaotic energy inside the narrow Lisbon streets; but, for those willing to shuffle and shimmy over the cobbles, it's an unparalleled atmosphere for the city.
A Wider Look at Santos Populares
Whilst the weekend of St Antonio is by far the largest of the festivities for June, the whole month is scattered with celebrations for popular saints of the Catholic Church. For example, the festivals of St John and St Peter at the end of June involve their own unique habits and customs. Each saint is associated with their own traditions, some more eccentric than others, with the ritual of St John's Day requiring attendees to chase one another with leeks! These celebrations are not only commemorated in Lisbon, but across Portugal with each area putting their own stamp on the traditions.