Masculine locution Pl: Círios de Nazaré
A massive Catholic celebration in honour of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth) which takes place in Belém, the capital city of the northern state of Pará, gathering millions of worshippers and tourists each year. The festivities last for days in October and include fluvial, bike and motorbike processions as well as the main procession in which the image of Our Lady of Nazareth is carried for about five kilometers along the streets of Belém, from the Catedral de Belém to Praça Santuário de Nazaré. After this procession, families gather for a feast where traditional dishes are served.
Where: Although many towns in the state of Pará hold processions in honour of Our Lady of Nazareth, the most prominent celebration takes place in Belém, Pará’s capital city.
When: In Belém, the festivities climax on the second Sunday of October with the main procession.
Important Information:
The Círio de Nazaré holds both the title of “Brazilian Cultural Heritage”, granted by IPHAN (Institute of Brazilian Historical and Artistic Heritage), as well as the title of “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, granted by UNESCO.
See also: Procissão do Fogaréu for another important procession