The summer festivities in honor of São João da Degola return to Manta Rota beach, with a vast entertainment program that includes concerts, balls and fireworks, until the 31st of August.
The highlight of the celebrations takes place on Monday, August 29, at 11:00 am, with the «Banho Santo», in the middle of the Manta Rota beach. The concentration of participants and the parade begin at 10:00 am, in Largo São João da Degola, at the entrance to the beach.
This sea bath is a meeting that takes place every year, on August 29, marking the date on which, according to legend, São João Baptista was beheaded.
In years gone by, this was the day when people from the Algarve mountains would travel to the beach, accompanied by pack animals, to take a bath that was believed to be “holy” and capable of curing all ills. At the end of the ritual, the celebration ended with a picnic.
To keep the tradition alive, the association «A Manta» and the City Council of VRSA are betting, once again, on the historical recreation of the event, attracting hundreds of curious people to Manta Rota to see how things used to be.
On August 29, in addition to the Holy Bath, at 11:00, there is a procession and open-air mass in honor of Saint John the Baptist, starting at 18:30.
Later, at 22:30 pm, there is a concert with the artist Romana, followed, at midnight, by a fireworks show on the seafront.
The festivities also include a series of concerts and balls where, until the 31st, several bands and artists will pass.
On the 28th, Sunday, the poster includes a race and sports march, at 9:30 am.
The festivals in honor of São João da Degola are organized by the association «A Manta» and have the support of the Municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, the Parish Council of Vila Nova de Cacela and other local entities and companies.
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