For about five weeks, the city of Porto is in a constant festive mood until the longest night of the year, from June 23rd to 24th, the night of São João!
The São João Festival in Porto is a hallmark of this city’s life, bringing together thousands of tourists and visitors who participate in the various events that take place over about a month and happen throughout the city.
The origin of São João dates back to the 14th century (1301 to 1400), and initially, it was a pagan festival where people worshipped the Sun god and celebrated abundant harvests. Later, it was Christianized in honor of São João.
In the times when it was a pagan festival, they also celebrated fertility, and one of the traditions was to hang a leek on the wall of the house for good luck… Nowadays, people walk around with leeks in their hands to rub on other people’s faces. The aromatic herbs also still hold an important place in this celebration. Along the streets, you can find basil plants being sold because, besides their therapeutic qualities, it is believed that they bring health, luck, and fortune.
The highlight of these festivities is indeed the night of June 23rd to June 24th. On that night, the city transforms, with streets full of people, colors, and joy! As tradition dictates, sardines are grilled in every corner of the city, music is loud, and there’s no shortage of entertainment!
In addition to grilled sardines, it’s traditional to enjoy caldo verde (a Portuguese soup), lamb, bell pepper salad, and finish the meal with custard or São João cake, all accompanied by a good Port wine, of course!
Another characteristic aspect is the sale of the traditional “martelinhos” (small hammers used to tap on people’s heads as they pass by, originally used by university students during the “Queima das Fitas” festivities). Another characteristic aspect is the sale of the traditional “martelinhos” (small hammers used to tap on people’s heads as they pass by, originally used by university students during the “Queima das Fitas” festivities).
To complete the decoration of the streets, traditional São João balloons, made of paper and in various colors, adorn the main thoroughfares. Others, larger ones, are launched, painting the sky with hundreds of points of light.
The churches also adorn themselves with the famous altars in honor of this popular saint. In the streets, there are representations of the “cascades,” a tradition that portrays, in miniature, habits and traditions from other times and places in this city, with clay figures describing activities or professions from the past.
At midnight, there is a fireworks display, launched from the Douro River. The banks of the Douro River fill up with people to watch this spectacle.
The party only ends in the early morning, and the most resilient close the night by walking along the waterfront from Ribeira to Foz do Douro, where they await the sunrise. During the period of these festivities, you can see the excitement that arises in Porto through our webcam, located in Ribeira.
This initiative is organized by the Confraternity of Port Wine to promote Port Wine and the brands of this wine. With sails raised, bearing the names of the Port Wine companies to which they belong, the boats sail up the river, and at the end, the prizes are awarded in front of the Sandeman House, accompanied by lively music and entertainment.
The rabelo boats are traditional vessels that, in the past, transported the barrels of Port Wine from the Upper Douro, where the vineyards are located, to Vila Nova de Gaia, where it was stored and later shipped from Porto to the rest of the world.
Source: https://www.visitar-porto.com/
