Grand Festivities in Honour of S. Miguel

The Grandiosas Festas em Honra de S. Miguel are celebrated in Olival, in the União das freguesias de Sandim, Olival, Lever e Crestuma, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia. They are dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint venerated in this region, and mark a tradition of devotion with ancient roots. Throughout the days of the festivities, the celebration brings together traditional music, gastronomy and cultural activities, keeping alive the community's connection to its pilgrimage festivals. The religious ceremonies, with a procession, unite the population around faith in Saint Michael the Archangel, in a gathering that strengthens the bonds of the land. This is one of the traditional religious festivities of this União de freguesias, which also preserves other devotions such as the Romaria do Senhor da Pedra, in a territory of rich history within the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Olival is one of the four sister parishes of the União das freguesias de Sandim, Olival, Lever e Crestuma, in this stretch of Vila Nova de Gaia that slopes unhurriedly down towards the fields and the inland reaches of the municipality. These are lands of people who work, who pray and who gather around the table, with a religious heritage that binds the communities together: the Igreja Matriz de Santa Marinha in Crestuma, the secluded Capela de São Mateus de Arnelas and the remains of an ancient Benedictine monastery set among the greenery. Traditions are kept alive by the religious calendar and the pleasure of being together, with faith and festivity always hand in hand. At the table, the grill holds pride of place, with the tender and generous veal steak taking centre stage. Those who visit with an open heart leave wanting to return.