Keeping up on a long tradition, every last sunday of August, a procession in honour of Nossa Senhora da Praia (Our Lady of the Beach) takes place at Praia das Maçãs (Apples Beach). This beach, one of the beautiful beaches in Sintra coast, acquired its name because along the river that flows into this small town, there were several apple trees. In the summer, the apples fell into the river and washed up on the beach.
Yesterday, together with a good friend of mine, for my first time I attended that colorful procession.
After a mass in the open air just in front of the small chapel that opens once a year for the event, the procession started from the chapel, proceeded up to the residential area (many Lisbon people have a summer house over there) and along the main narrow streets to the beach that was crowded. The great gathering of people were waiting to take Her by the sea.
Traditions must be maintained....
After a mass in the open air just in front of the small chapel that opens once a year for the event, the procession started from the chapel, proceeded up to the residential area (many Lisbon people have a summer house over there) and along the main narrow streets to the beach that was crowded. The great gathering of people were waiting to take Her by the sea.
Traditions must be maintained....
