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Sea’s Festival

August is the party month for Cascais. Keeping the tradition that began on 15^th century, the village celebrates the Sea’s Festival to get the blessing for the sea and the village – it is called the Lancha Blessing.

The festival comes to Cascais every year to thank the protection for the fishermen that go to the sea and come back alive. Sometimes fishermen ask for a little bit more than protection, they ask for the end of difficult times and the abundance of fish for selling… the festival sings hope for fishermen and this hope is sent to the sea. On the highest moment of the festival there is a parade with religious statues: Nossa Senhora da Guia, Santa Marta, São Mateus, São Miguel, Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Nossa Senhora da Conceição and – the last, but not the least – Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, the Sailors Saint if we do straight translation.

The faith on Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes started on 15^th century because of European Discoveries. Her Church was first built on 16^th century and it is one of the most original churches in Cascais because of its style from baroque time.

Through the time the church was changed. For instance, the two towers of the church were opened to the public on August 9^th of 1942 and they were designed by the architect Tertuliano Marques. Inside of the church there are paintings and statues of other Saints, such as Nossa Senhora da Piedade, Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Santa Teresa de Ávila.

The parade of Saints starts on the streets of Cascais following the way to the Bay of Cascais, where the fishermen boats wait for them. The Saints are put on separate boats and they sail along the sea to get the Lancha’s Blessing. Every year the Associação de Amadores e Pescadores (Amateurs and Fishermen’s Association) with the Government support select randomly the boats that are taking the Saints and the Fishermen are proud to be the lucky ones taking a Saint. It’s a blessing… and let’s the parade begins!