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Medieval Journey almost begins

Last preparations in the surroundings of the Monastery of Leça do Balio


Everything is almost ready for another edition of "Hospitalários no Caminho de Santiago".

After having presented themselves to the population for two years in a different format, due to the pandemic situation experienced, "Os Hospitalários no Caminho de Santiago" are back to Matosinhos, to the Monastery of Leça do Balio and its usual format ready to welcome thousands of people.

For five days, from September 7th to 11th, the colors, music, aromas, and flavors of medieval times will be recreated in an event that already has 17 editions and that, every year, is gaining more and more fans.

In the enclosure created in the area surrounding the Monastery of Leça do Balio, are already visible the tents, props and decorations for the Medieval Fair that starts tomorrow, Wednesday.

Besides the entertainment, music and dance, guided tours to the heritage, horseback tournaments, weapons and birds training, workshops for the younger ones, taverns for snacks and drinks, conventual sweets stalls, visitors will be able to watch the work performed live by about 30 craftsmen, interact with the various characters of the time as jesters, jugglers, acrobats and trumpeters, knights, merchants, snake charmers and watch several recreations of legends.

Promoted by the municipality, this historical recreation was done to promote the Ways of St. James in the county, as well as to promote the Monastery of Leça do Balio, one of the most emblematic monuments of northern Portugal whose origins date back to the tenth century. In the 12th century, it became the first headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem of the Hospital, hence known as "hospitalários".

The place, it should be remembered, played an important role in assisting the pilgrims who demanded the tomb of the apostle Santiago in Compostela, providing spiritual and medical assistance. Afonso Henriques and Sancho I passed through there on their way to Compostela, as did Queen Santa Mafalda or D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Holy Constable.

The Monastery of Leça do Balio is still today a place of reference and an obligatory stop for those who, in this region, walk the Ways of St. James, classified by UNESCO as a Cultural Itinerary of Humanity.

In this year of 2022, the Jacobean year, the importance of the Ways of St. James and the Order of the Hospital will be highlighted.

One of the most awaited moments of this historical recreation will take place on September 11th, a day in which the site is expected to fill up. At 4:30 pm, the royal wedding between D. Fernando and D. Leonor Teles will be recreated.

This year, actor António Camelier, known for his role in the series "Red Moon" and more recently for his participation in the soap operas "The Saw" and "Honeymoon", will play the role of D. Fernando, while D. Leonor will be played by dancer and choreographer Vanda Gameiro, known for her great shows and for her participation in the program "Dance with the Stars".

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