The Bath Santo is back, on the 29th of August, from 11 am, to the beach of Manta Rota (Vila Real de Santo António), marking the date on which São João Baptista was beheaded.
The São João da Degola Run and March begins the festivities, with departure scheduled for 9 am, on the 30th of August, at Largo São João da Degola.
In this fifth edition – organized by the association A Manta, in partnership with the Trail Avenida / Campesino team and the sports group Os Morcegos – the athletes will cover a circuit of 10 kilometers of running and 7 kilometers of walking.
As for the historical recreation of the Holy Bath, it continues to keep the tradition alive, attracting hundreds of people year after year.
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.
Religious celebrations take place at the end of the day, with mass in the chapel, in Memory of the Martyrdom of São João Batista (18:30 pm), and with the procession (19:30 pm).
Micaela is the guest artist on the central night of the celebrations (August 29), with a concert (22 pm) which will culminate with a fireworks display at Largo São João da Degola (30).
The parties are organized by the association «A Manta», by the Vila Real de Santo António City Council, by the Parish Council of Vila Nova de Cacela, by the Parish of Nossa Senhora da Assunção and by the sports group «Os Morcegos».
Full program:
29 August
11:00 am – Holy Bath
18:30 pm – Mass in the chapel of Manta Rota
19:30 pm – Procession in honor of Saint John the Baptist
21h00 – Dance with Duo Reflexo
22:30 pm – Concert with Micaela
24h00 - Fireworks
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