Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southern Portugal’s Sacred Celebrations

This book explores the field of Marian feasts in Portugal’s Algarve region, where Catholic heritage intertwines with local culture. This book delves into the 72 traditional feasts dedicated to Our Lady, each celebration a profound expression of the Algarve’s unique blend of faith, community, and devotion. Following sociological insights, it examines how these feasts–integral to the intangible cultural heritage of the region–preserve social practices and religious rites, fostering a sense of identity and continuity. Drawing on the sociology of religion, philosophy, and anthropology, the book takes readers on a journey through sacred processions, pilgrimages, and rituals that unite the coastal and rural Algarve. Complete with a detailed guide, this visually captivating work, illustrated by the author’s own photographs, provides a comprehensive look at the devotion and cultural legacy that still echo in Southern Portugal’s sacred celebrations.