Monte Festival - Madeira
14/08/2010 - 15/08/2010
Place of event: Monte, Funchal
The Monte Festival is the largest religious festival of the region, celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the island (Nossa Senhora do Monte), attracting locals from all over the island, emigrants and tourists.
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte is the centre of attention. Pilgrims come here to pray or to honor their promises. On the 15th of August (a public holiday) there is a procession leading to the church and many devotees climb the 74 step stairway up to the church on their knees. This festival has taken place since the 19th century with a celebration of mass and a popular feast.
The history of Madeira is marked by great religious devotion of the people of Madeira to Our Lady of the Monte (Nossa Senhora do Monte), being known as miraculous, for helping the Madeira population in afflicted times. There are many legends of Our Lady of Monte which passed from one generation to another until the present.
