Festivities in Honour of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Festivities in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary are held in Vila Cã, in the municipality of Pombal, on the first Sunday of October. The tradition dates back to medieval times and is linked to the commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, one of the episodes that, over the centuries, became durably associated with Marian devotion to the Rosary. The celebration remains alive through processions, music and local festivities that fill the village at this time of year. It is a gathering of faith, culture and devotion that brings the community together and keeps alive a tradition with deep roots. Vila Cã holds a rich history, stretching back to megalithic times, and preserves its own traditions such as local gastronomy and artisan weaving. Throughout the year, the village also hosts other religious events, among them the Pilgrimage Festival to Our Lady of Bonança, showing how deeply devotion remains present in the daily lives of its people.

Perched in the heart of the Serra de Sicó, Vila Cã, in the municipality of Pombal, preserves an ancient Portugal where time is measured by the seasons and the work of the land. It is a parish with deep roots, shaped by the faith of its chapels, the pride of its folk traditions and the patient art of weaving. At the table, it reveals an honest and flavourful cuisine, from the tortulhos da serra to chanfana and couves migadas, with golden honey and cheeses of firm flavour. From the heights of the serra, the gaze drifts across limestone slopes and valleys that invite you to linger. This is deep Portugal, in the finest sense of the expression — and it is well worth the detour.