Festa da Pinha - Estoi Portugal 2023 # 003

Описание: Every year at the beginning of May, the population of Estoi, north of Faro, celebrates the festival "Festa da Pinha", which literally means "Festival of the Pinecone". Nobody has been able to tell us where this tradition comes from. The high point is the move from Estoi to Ludo near Almancil and back on May 2nd.

From 8 a.m. the participants gather in traditional clothing (black trousers, white shirt, red scarf) at the riding arena. Riders, horse-drawn carriages, tractors and trucks can take part, all imaginatively decorated with rich floral decorations. At the end of the day, the most beautiful in each of the 4 categories will be awarded.

Around 9:30 a.m., the spectacular procession starts to move with the call “Viva a Pinha”, passing the parish church under the ringing of church bells, where a large crowd is already waiting. Via Santa Barbara de Nexe we head in the direction of Almancil to Ludo, past the Laranjal golf course. A barbecue lasting several hours then takes place in Ludo before the whole company, correspondingly tipsy, starts the return journey.

This is usually not quite as disciplined as the way there. The timetable can get very muddled, while young and old have been partying on the church square in Estoi since the early evening hours. On the main street of Estoi, onlookers crowded together and waited for the train to arrive. It's worth the wait when, sometimes just before midnight, the riders and wagons arrive by torchlight. Viva a Pinha!