Semana Santa (Easter Week) coincided with my visit to Portugal to see Jacob and Ellery. On Palm Sunday, we decided to visit the city of Braga. Braga is the religious center of Portugal and celebrates with elaborate processions through the cobblestone streets. We arrived in Braga at the end of a 1-hour train ride from Porto. After a strong coffee at Nórdica Café, we waited in the square for the first procession.
The deacons wore richly colored costumes.
And people came out on their balconies to watch.
The parishoners carried olive branches into the church, waving them at the right moment.
We marched into the Sé (cathedral) with everyone else and stayed for mass. I’ve never seen a church all decked out with purple curtains and red velvet. The music sounded like the soundtrack of The Mission, which I guess is my prior experience with Portugese mass music. Few restaurants were open, so we had Thai food for lunch.
On a more secular note, there was dancing in the streets to the music of accordians and castanholas (castanets). And several marching bands.
While Jacob, Ellery and I awaited a second procession, the Roman Centurions kept us away from the prisoners.
Biblical characters marched in elaborate costumes.
The parade gained floats as it passed various churches. All the floats proceeded through the town square, where the procession concluded.
