Jo’s Monday walk : Illuminating Lagoa

If you’re a regular visitor to the Algarve, chances are that you will have bypassed Lagoa numerous times.  Sitting just off the busy E125 road, it’s not somewhere that you would necessarily make a beeline for.  So my husband looked at me askance when I asked if we might visit the town for Mercado de Culturas… A Luz das Velas – the ‘market of cultures… by candlelight’.  I had never heard of the festival before, but it was apparently in its 4th year.  This year’s theme, Rota de Seda -Silk Road, sounded inviting to me.

After a lazy beach day, we headed along on a sultry Sunday, for the last evening of this 4 day event, not entirely sure what to expect. Looking for parking, our first encounter was a bit of a surprise.  Strong sunshine created deep shadows, even at 8 in the evening.

A small park with a war memorial leads to an imposing church.  Few people are about and you begin to wonder if you are in the right place.

And then, turning a corner, the atmosphere changes discernibly and we have the first hint that something special might be about to happen.  Rose coloured paving with white spots cannot disguise the fact that the area is shabby.  On a raised platform there is a display of bonsai.

And, close by, the first of the unlit candle arrangements, laid out on boards on the floor, in a Chinese theme.

It wouldn’t start to get dark for another hour, so plenty of time to explore the narrow streets, and have a bite to eat.  We wandered into the impressive Convento de São José, founded around 1710 by Carmelite nuns, who fostered and educated abandoned girls.  There are beautiful cloisters and the surrounding rooms have been turned into a museum and exhibition space.

Street stalls offered an array of tempting food and artisans worked quietly beside their wares.  A clattering of drums announced the arrival of two Chinese dragons, who cavorted and rolled winsomely at the feet of the laughing onlookers.

As dusk gathered there was a frisson of excitement.  The first of the 12,000 candles were being lit.  It would take quite some time, and a whole lot of effort, till all were burning brightly together.

Following the trail of candles, we come to a large square, with restaurants and a church whose interior glowed invitingly.  Stepping inside to admire the white wood panelled ceiling and the medieval painting behind the altar, we are met with a ‘brother’.  His face lights up as he tells us the history of his church, Igreja da Misericórdia, and the processions that celebrate Easter.  We reassure him that we have a church of the same name in Tavira, and have enjoyed those same processions, and we part good friends.  

The lights flicker on, ahead of us and behind.  Watchful candle lighters step forward to replace guttered candles and the whole world glows.

Music ripples in the air and, as it grows darker, a Persian dancer twines her body in graceful poses and the night casts its spell.  A small crowd are gathered in the doorway of a chapel, lit in a rosy hue.  Serenely a lady plucks the strings of a lute.

I know that the merriment will continue till long after midnight on this warm evening, and find it hard to tear myself away.  But we have a long journey home ahead, and I am thankful to have witnessed this wonderful celebration of light.  I hope you enjoyed it too.  Perhaps, if you should be in the Algarve next July, it’s one to look out for.

Thank you for your patience and support, especially those of you who have posted walks for me. I returned home late on Thursday and am still trying to find my UK groove.  Time to put the kettle on and enjoy some great company.  If you’d like to join me any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

Are you a fan of trees?  Let Geoff poetically show you one or two :

The Book of Trees#dulwich#trees#villagelife#poetry

Canada Day was a big one this year.  This is how Jackie (and the big duck) celebrated :

Let’s Celebrate!

Toast Master

Miriam has enjoyed every step of her Aussie adventure :

Stepping into a Magical Outback

Summer Solstice is always a bit special, isn’t it? Share a bonfire with Lady Lee :

Summer Solstice

I’m almost ashamed of myself not to have walked this.  Debbie has (and Becky too!) :

Water on High

Woolly continues his visits to the sadness of the war graves :

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk27_Serre-Rd_No-2_Cemetery

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk27_Serre Rd_No-2 Cemetery-Pt2

Lisa cheered me up with a return to her roots, and some cliff tops, not too very far from me :

Hull – Part II

And Jude’s usually cheerful (though occasionally grumpy).  A bit more of Queen Mum’s old place?

Garden Portrait: Glamis Castle Italian Garden

It wouldn’t be a Monday walk without Drake, would it?  Two more for you this week!

Surrounded by architecture

Under the arches

And speaking of architecture, look where Indra’s been!

Travelscapes -Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick

While, even further away, my lovely Meg dabbles her toes :

Wordless walk : Shelly Beach

And in the stunning scenery of the Banf National Park, there’s another adventure with Sheri :

Hiking Wind Ridge

Tobias always comes up with something a little different :

Documenting locations

I thought Amanda was taking her dog for a walk.  Wrong again!

Walking on Straddie with Maddie

And who better to give you a tip or two than our intrepid Sue?

10 Tips Before Hiking Table Mountain, Capetown

Welcome back to Denzil, with some practical advice on walking in Belgium :

GR121 Stage 2 : La Roche (Brabant) to Nivelles

And to Susan, with her lyrical West Coast writing :

Walking Harmony Headlands

I know there are loads.  That’s what happens when I take a break.  Please find time to visit, especially anybody you don’t already know.  I’m off to enjoy that rare commodity in the north east- a sunny day!  Take care till next time.

 

125 comments

      1. No problem at all Jo – have been meaning to join in for a while. Since we got back we have had renovations going on and I have been running around doing a lot of stuff but light at the end of the tunnel! Look forward to catching up on a Monday Walk next week 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. What a wonderful celebration Jo – those mass of candles are so pretty. How lovely that there are so many of these village festivals in the Algarve – it looks a special evening 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  10. Jo welcome back and hope you are getting back in the groove. I would love to see this magical light display. you do find such gems in your walks i have to say. Many kind thanks my friend for sharing our Cape Town hike up Table Mountain. so sweet of you to include it.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I was grooving along nicely in unaccustomed English sunshine, Sue, but it’s not to be relied upon. I had a lovely Saturday afternoon at a Brass Band festival in Durham, in the refreshing rain. 🙂 🙂 One of the bands was Portuguese and they still smiled and sang along to Dixie, so I did too. Glad to include it, Sue. It’s on my list but heaven knows how old I might be before I get there. Hope things are going well for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Perhaps you could send some of that rain to our neighboring province of British Columbia which has hundreds of wildfires burning. So sad. Meanwhile sending very best wishes and hoping one day you will be hiking Table Mountain yourself. XO

        Like

  11. Well this was certainly different. I have never seen a candlelight festival before. How are you adjusting to being back in your northern home? Hot enough for you? I drove up to Donny today in the heat – shirt sticking to my back by the time I got here! And supposedly hotter tomorrow and maybe thunderstorms! All I need! Will reply to your e tomorrow, but all’s well so far…

    Like

    Reply

  12. Wonderful! Thank you! This reminds me I’ll write to my friend in Algarve. Of course she can tell me more about this.
    Ellington

    Like

    Reply

      1. I wrote to my friend in Algarve yesterday, but she didn’t know about this. You must be lucky to have found it!
        Ellington

        Like

      2. When I’m there I always go to the Tourist Information and pick up the leaflet of the events for that month. There really are loads! 🙂

        Like

    1. It’s not one of the more tourist spots, except when the trade fair FATACIL takes place each year. I was surprised and delighted with this festival, Sartenada. 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Always something interesting, Becky :). 🙂 As we were coming away the Enchanted Nights was set to start at Cacela Velha. The Heritage opening keeping you busy?

      Like

      Reply

    1. Quiet magic is right, Lisa 🙂 🙂 4 nights of lighting them all and the setting up beforehand is quite an undertaking. I loved being there and watching it happen. 🙂 How are things with you?

      Like

      Reply

      1. Like thousands, I too am ‘misplaced’ but my options are so many and so vast that I’m being ‘ticky’ with my search for a new place to call home. that lake area, which is about four or more hours by car from jama, is calling me, and i will probably return tomorrow…. until then, it’s one day at a time, and each day a special one.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. I’d heard of Lagoa , but never visited the place…This is one of the most atmospheric celebrations I’ve ever seen, loved every bit of your story and photos and insert Lagoa in my list…..
    Thanks for this share!

    Like

    Reply

    1. It’s quite a shabby area, Anna, so it was lovely to see everyone enjoying this so much. You don’t need a lot of money to enjoy yourself, do you? 🙂 🙂 Have a good week!

      Like

      Reply

  19. What a wonderful atmosphere you’ve created with words and photos as you take us along with you. The candles are beautiful and I love the labour-intensivity of their lighting. As always, a stroll of wonderful variety. Who’s have expected Chinese dragons? Hugs from rooster-crowing Stanthorpe.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I love candles and Chinese dragons almost equally, Meg, so I was cock-a-hoop when they arrived. There’s such a wildness to them, but cuddly too. 🙂 🙂 Mick wasn’t especially keen to go because it was a bit of a drive, but I was so glad we did. Now are these Chinese roosters or Portuguese ones? Are you familiar with the symbol of Barcelo? Very colourful! 🙂 🙂 Lazy afternoon in the garden hugs…

      Like

      Reply

      2. Winter? We’ve just gotten over a heatwave- ask Jude! She was driving in it yesterday, poor love. More normal here this morning, but we are a-typical, I suspect. Thundery showers almost certain for when I go out to t’ai chi at 9. 🙂 🙂 I shall sing in the rain.

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.