Public Holiday in Portugal
Sightseeing in Coimbra – 26th May 2016
The two hour train trip from Lisbon to Coimbra was very pleasant, with lush green countryside most of the way and a few neat little hillside towns to gaze upon. As well as the usual cork trees and gumtrees, there was a variety of other trees including beautiful poplars and birches. Vineyards were plentiful and there were several olive orchards nearing Coimbra.
Arriving in a town on a Thursday one does not expect most of the shops and restaurants to be closed. At first I thought it must be siesta time in Coimbra, then I observed something strange happening … people everywhere were scattering rose petals around in the cobbled streets. When I asked some other tourists what it was all about they said it was a national public holiday in Portugal for the Catholic feast of Corpus Christie.
Coimbra (pronounced kwibra) is a fascinating city of just over 100,000 people, with an interesting medieval history. For over a hundred years it was the capital of Portugal and is the site of the country’s greatest university for the past five centuries. Being a university town it is lively and full of atmosphere. The beautiful historic old town cascades down a hillside in a lovely setting on the east bank of the Rio Mondeg. It is a multi-coloured collage of buildings spanning nearly a millennium.
After strolling around the old town for a couple of hours I crossed over the river and discovered an incredible theme park called Portugal dos Pequenitos, consisting of diminutive versions of Portuguese houses and monuments, and with pavilions dedicated to the former Portuguese colonies. With my senior’s discount the admittance charge was only €5.95 and I certainly got my money’s worth … it was a photographer’s dream with all the ornate and colourful little buildings.
As I walked back over the bridge towards the old town where I am staying I heard the sound of a brass band playing rousing marching music, then I noticed that the Corpus Christie procession had started along the main pedestrian mall. What an incredible sight – there must have been several thousand people walking slowly along following the bishop and about twenty acolytes clad in their white robes.
Although it was only about six o’clock the few cafes that were open this afternoon were now closing. All I could find to eat for my evening meal was a cheese platter and a toasted sandwich at a little wine bar that was still open. Still a light meal won’t do me any harm because I have been doing a bit too well since I stopped riding four days ago!
Great photos, you have captured the procession well. What a procession, yes it seems like an old city but yet unique. Hope the weather is good for you tomorrow. Today here was very warm but the week-end will I think wet! what’s new!!
So pleased to hear (and see) that you made it for the Corpus Christi Procession in Portugal. I noticed that the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre were well represented in the procession – they were wearing the black berets. They are usually business men (Catholic laymen belonging to a religious order) and part of their apostolate is to support the Christian Churches and sites in the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Spanish civic and religious processions are something to be experienced. I was in Avila in 2005 and had the joy of celebrating St Teresa’s feast – a civic and religious celebration. I joined in their magnificent procession, which was unimaginable to our Australian way of thinking and celebrating. They really know how to celebrate!
In the sixteenth century in Spain, religious processions celebrating particular mysteries of Our Lord’s life were a way of handing down the faith and were a very important part of the piety of that time. Still today, Holy Week in Seville is celebrated with by its famous procession – full of cultural and historical aspects.
Thanks for your email and lots of love,
Nancy