Event: Portugal - Lamego

Romaria de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios

When:	28 Aug - 8 Sep 2008 (annual)
Where:	Lamego
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	Daily all day

Romaria de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios is an elaborately celebrated pilgrimage which makes its way to the shrine of Our Lady of Cures at the top of the town of Lamego, a great centre for those seeking cures for illness.

The approach to the shrine is an elaborate Baroque stairway. The most devoted pilgrims climb all 700 steps on their knees and the ascent is dotted with smaller devotional chapels, statues and fountains where people can rest.

Although pilgrims visit all year round, it is September when the Great Pilgrimage occurs. The main event lasts just two days, but celebrations spread out either side lasting several weeks. The Triumph Procession (8 September) consists of many differently sized and shaped floats, pulled by oxen, depicting different biblical scenes. The streets, balconies and railings are intricately decorated with flowers and petals and there is even a flower battle.

There is an incredible atmosphere in Lamego over these days of pilgrimage. For some this is an intensely emotional and spiritual time, but for others it is a chance to experience a special part of local culture. Additional entertainment includes torchlit parades, dances, car races, a fair and rock concerts featuring some of the country's top bands.