Romaria de Nossa Senhora da Agonia

In August, Viana do Castelo celebrates its great romaria — the feast of Nossa Senhora da Agonia. For several days the city by the Lima fills with processions, traditional dress, music and fireworks, in one of the most beloved popular festivals of northern Portugal.

History and traditions

The devotion to Nossa Senhora da Agonia grew through the centuries in Viana do Castelo, and the romaria became the great festival of the city and of the Minho coast. Its high point is the procession of the image through the streets, alongside the parade of traditional costumes and the music of the region — a celebration of faith and of local identity.

What to expect

• The procession of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, through the decorated streets.
• The parade of traditional costume and the dances of the Minho.
• The fireworks over the river Lima.
• The sanctuary and the city, dressed for the festival.

Visiting

The romaria is held each year in August, around the 20th, in the centre of Viana do Castelo. The dates and programme of each edition should be confirmed with the municipality before your visit.

Nearby

The festival fills the streets of Viana do Castelo, on the coast of the Minho.

Information: cm-viana-castelo.pt.

Image credit: Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, Viana do Castelo, by Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.