šSardines, Popular Saints and Celebrationsš, Discovering the rich traditions of Santo Antonio in LisbonšBababobo shop, Souvenirs, Sardines and Handicraft in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugalšŗā
- BabaBobo
- Apr 3
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
In June, Lisbon teems with life more than ever with the festivities of Saint Anthony, the city's beloved saint who is celebrated with renewed popular fervor every year. History, culture and community spirit, three words that can sum up thirty days of joy in šAlfama and all of Lisbonāš, a shared happiness in which travelers can join.
At the center of these festivities is the humble sardineš½ļø, a symbol deeply anchored in the Lisbonās identity. Exploring the history of the sardine, the figure of Saint Anthony and the lively events of Alfama reveals a unique tradition that delights both locals and vacationers curious about culture and history.
Grilled sardine: The starš of summer, the Queenšø of Saint Anthony...
The sardine holds a special place in Portuguese culture, particularly in Lisbon. This little fish has nourished generations and shaped coastal communities for centuries. Historically, sardines were abundant in Atlantic waters near Portugal, making them an accessible and affordable source of nutrition. Over time, the sardine has evolved from a simple food to a cultural icon.
In Lisbon, the sardine is cherished not only for its taste but also for its role in local identity. The kick-off for its tasting is symbolically given on June 13, a public holiday in Lisbon, during the feast of Saint Anthony, where the smell of grilled meats invades all the historic districts such as Alfama. It is grilled whole with its scales on charcoal embers, simply seasoned with coarse saltš§, traditionally served on a slice of country breadš, which absorbs the fatšā, or accompanied by boiled potatoesš„ and grilled peppersš«, and a glass of wineš·, or sangria. āSardinha assadaā is a must during the summer months, from June to September, when its flesh is at its meatiest and tastiest.
š¼Who is Saint Anthony?
Saint Anthony, known as Saint Anthony of Padua, is one of Portugal's most beloved saints. Born into a noble family in Lisbon, he renounced comfort to pursue religious life, first in the Order of Saint Augustine and, later, in the Franciscan Order, fascinated by Saint Francis of Assisi.
Known for his eloquence, he traveled through Portugal, France and Italy, fighting heresies and attracting crowds. Many miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime, including the healing of the sick.
ā”Symbols: He is often represented with the Child Jesus in his arms (symbolizing an apparition he had) and a lily (symbolizing purity).
ā”The āSaint Matchmakerā or the saint of marriages: His fame as a matchmaker is due, in part, to the tradition of helping poor women obtain a dowry for their marriage.
ā”Death and canonization: He died on June 13, 1231 in Padua, Italy, aged only 36. He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1232, less than a year after his death, one of the fastest processes in history.
ā”The āSermon of Saint Anthony of Padua to the Fish" in Rimini, which joins the epic of the Lisbon Sardineš...
ā”Heritage: His feast, celebrated on June 13, is particularly popular in Lisbon, where traditional weddings of Saint Anthony and Popular Marches celebrate his memory.
š°The Tradition of the āCasamentos de Santo Antonioā
One of the most charming aspects of the Feast of Saint Anthony is the tradition of āCasamentos de Santo Antonioā. Inspired by the āSaint Matchmakerā, the weddingsĀ of Saint Anthony take place every year on June 12, organized by the Lisbon City Hall and the EGEAC, bringing together 16 couples during civil and religious ceremonies.
This tradition, created in 1958 to support couples in financial difficulty, constitutes the highlight of the festivities. The initiative is a symbol of union, solidarity and love, attracting the attention of all Lisbon.
After the ceremonies, covered by local televisions, the bride and groom, such as Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, parade along Avenida da Liberdade as part of the Popular Marches, another highlight of Santo AntĆ³nio's night.
š¶āāļøāā”ļøThe Popular Marches of Santo Antonio
The Popular Marches are parades which take place on the night of June 12 to 13 on Avenida da Liberdade, staged by neighborhood groups accompanied by popular godfathers confronting each other to music in costumed and colorful processions.
A tradition created in 1932 paying homage to Saint Anthony, more than 20 neighborhoods, such as Alfama, Bica, Bairro Alto, Madragoa, Mouraria, highlight local pride and creativity with a set theme and music.
š„³Alfama, the Sardine and Santo Antonio
Alfama is the epicenter of Lisbon's Santo AntĆ³nio festivities, standing out as the most traditional and lively neighborhood in June. Its picturesque charm provides an ideal setting for these celebrations, culminating on June 12 and 13, and the Portuguese who come to savor grilled sardines, as tradition requires, fill the squares and narrow streets in the evening to dance and feast to popular music.
Highlights of Santo AntĆ³nio in Alfama:
ā”Procession: The procession in honor of Santo AntĆ³nio travels through the streets of the district, connecting SĆ© Cathedral to Saint Antoine Church.
ā”Arraials (festival): The one in SĆ£o Miguel which begins a few days before the main evening, June 12 and 13, is one of the most emblematic.
ā”Atmosphere: Streets decorated with flags, popular music, the smell of grilled sardines and the cries of happy people dancing joyfully on the steps and in the maze of alleys.
ā”Tradition: Rua dos RemĆ©dios and Largo de SĆ£o Miguel are obligatory stops.
ā”Tip: It is recommended to arrive early (around 5 p.m.) to ensure you have a table, certainly decorated with a "manjerico", and to eat the traditional grilled sardine, in Alfama often accompanied by sangria.
Sardine and CraftsšBababobo, Handicraft and Souvenirs shop in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugalšŗ
Beyond gastronomy and festivities, the sardine inspires creative local artisans to imagine unique and colorful decorative objects. It can be found in terracotta or ceramic, in fabric with stamped azulejo patterns, or even printed on a wide variety of supports.
Even sardine cans have become pieces of craftsmanship thanks to their very Portuguese vintage or playful style graphics. In the spectacular funfair-style shop with an evocative name, O Mundo FantƔstico da Sardinha Portuguesa, it is possible to personalize sardine cans by printing your date of birth and a personal highlight.
Like the swallow, the sardine also appeared in literature, inspiring popular expressions:
ā” āCada um puxa a brasa Ć sua sardinhaā: Everyone draws the embers towards their sardine, which means defending their own interests;
ā” āA mulher e a sardinha, quer-se pequeninaā: The woman and the sardine, we prefer them small, an allusion to the culinary tradition where small sardines are tastier;
ā” āAndar como sardinha em lataā: Used when a place, like the metro or the bus, is crowded;
ā” āNem cada dia Ć© dia de sardinhaā: A proverb which means that not every day is a day of celebration or abundance; you have to be economical.
šFinal Thoughts on Alfama and Santo Antonio
The Saint Anthony festivities in Lisbon offer much more than entertainment. They invite everyone to connect to history through shared traditions.
For travelers with a passion for culture, participating in the Santo Antonio festivities offers a unique opportunity to witness the living heritage of Lisbon and the values āāthat unite its people.
If they wish to enrich themselves with a new experience and be active in Portuguese culture, travelers also have the opportunity to participate in the Lisbon āSardine Competitionā, an artistic competition organized annually by the EGEAC (the Municipal Cultural Society), the aim of which is to create the visual identity of the āFestas de Lisboaā through an original design reproduced on a sardine silhouette, inspired by personal or collective stories. 5 winning sardines are selected, with each creator receiving a prize of ā¬1,500.
āāIn conclusion, if you really like this post, if it has aroused your curiosity, as we expected, and you have made up your mind, you should say: "I'm going there right away, I'm running there, I'm flying there, Lisboa, Alfama, Mouraria, Viva Benfica, Siuuu Ronaldo, EsĆ©bio... O fado, O Carminho, Mariza, Amalia... we strongly encourage you to stop by Bababobo shop, have a look at our sardines, handicraft and souvenir in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal!
Source: Google AIšŖāā
