After last year’s c’est la vie we finally made it.
Viva a Mãe Soberana!
Viva a Senhora da Piedade!
Viva os Homens do Andor!
Viva os Homens da Banda!
Yesterday though the focus was all on the Sovereign Mother and her journey back. The festivities began with religious ceremonies in the centre of town, before the ‘Homens do Andor’ arrived to take her back.
Accompanied by the GNR on horseback, majorettes, the scouts and two wind bands they made their way through the centre of Loulé before ascending to her Sanctuary in Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Oh I forgot to mention they are all also accompanied by hundreds of local people and many from further afield as this is one of the largest, if not the largest religious festival in Portugal.
For photographs of the climb and return to the sanctuary pop across to the Mãe Soberana facebook page. I know everyone has one these days! We certainly enjoyed our early evening in Loulé but to be honest we preferred the intimacy of the Blessing of the Sea here in Olhão da Restauração and the sheer joy and beauty of the Festa das Tochas Floridas in São Brás de Alportel. It is however quite a feat to carry the 600kg statue through town, down two hills and then up a very steep one!