One of Portugal’s most popular saints, Santo António (Saint Anthony of Padua), a Fransiscan friar, is Lisbon's patron. On June 13th's eve, the city turns into one big party, the craziest night of the year.
The night is filled with parades, live music, dancing and eating on the streets: grilled sardines, pepper salad, red wine and sangria (lots of wine and sangria!) are a must. The places to go are the city's poor neighbourhoods, especially the centuries old district of Alfama. Thousands of people, dance, sing and shout, going up and down the labyrinthic streets until dawn.
The national flag is everywhere, meaning the Soccer World Cup madness is set up. You can even see a Portuguese Team scarf hanging between the balconies. Portugal has its first game (vs. Germany) next Monday.
22 comments:
Sounds great fun - but overwhelming too. Good luck in the World Cup.
It's a great time to be in Lisbon! Good luck to Portugal with the world cup!
Sounds like one big party!
Hope everyone got lots of Basil plants.
Boa Sorte a Portugal!
how wonderful! i hope everyone has a great time and stays safe.
So colorful and what fun!! I'd love to be there to celebrate with them!! Have a great weekend, Jose!!
This must be a lot of fun!
Sorry we will have to be enemies for a few hours on Monday. Don't take it personally... ;-)
Sounds like fantastic evening. I hope to be there one year.
There are Portugal flags flying all over our city especially on cars. I wonder if there will be celebrations here for St Anthony since everyone seems to be totally caught up in the World Cup.
back in the phil i remember tuesdays are st. anthony's days. that's when we go to st. anthony's church and attend the novena. yes, it's the feast day today.
A moment to remember all the Tony , Antonio or Antoine i know :) Happy party !
A feast of colors! I just remembered that the Portuguese church in Rome is dedicated to Saint Anthony...
how fun and i really like the festive photo!
Sounds like a fun celebration.
Looks festive. I normally don't like soccer but watching the World Cup today was exciting.
A joyous photo! Now I know the best time to visit Lisbon.
Has a definite 'party time' feel in your shot. Love it!
There's a wild time in the old town tonight! I remember this day from previous posts. Love all the colors.
I don't think folks living in the area of all the reveling would get much sleep, though...even if they tried. :)
It sounds like a great collision of reasons to celebrate. Good luck at the World Cup!
Looks and sounds like a lot of fun. Love those colorful paper flowers.
Sounds like a crazy party. I wonder if St Anthony would have approved.
Happy day.
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