Every year, on the last Friday, before the last Saturday of August, many devotees go up to Lagoa to pray, fulfill promises and also to place the image of Nossa Senhora das Neves on their heads. This gesture works as an act of exorcism, in popular parlance, “taking away the devil”, giving assurance to the faithful that they have been freed from all evil.

This tradition goes back at least to the beginning of the 18th century and leads many pilgrims to the Lagoa Sanctuary.

Text credits: https://www.cm-fafe.pt/artigo/festa-de-nossa-senhora-das-neves

Image source: Municipality of Fafe