From September 9 to 14, the Leça do Balio Monastery, the Varas Park and the Corredor Verde do Leça (a riverside greenway along the Leça River) will host a new edition of the historical reenactment “Os Hospitalários no Caminho de Santiago” (“The Hospitallers on the Camino de Santiago”). The event highlights the role of the Portuguese headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem of the Hospital in welcoming and protecting pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Organized by the Municipality of Matosinhos, the initiative recalls the strategic importance of the monastery on the Camino since the 12th century, when the Hospitallers provided shelter, safety and support to travellers. The aim is to revive the historical and spiritual dimension of the site, which played a decisive role for generations of pilgrims.
The programme includes historical reenactments, theatrical performances and several cultural activities celebrating the heritage and traditions of the region. One of the highlights will be the staging of the royal wedding between King Fernando and Queen Leonor Teles, which took place in 1372 at the Leça do Balio Monastery — the only royal marriage ever held outside the capital. The performance, featuring professional actors, will take place on September 14.
Visitors will also find a medieval market, a military camp, stables, falconry shows, armed tournaments, thematic workshops, guided tours of the monastery and a gastronomic offering inspired by the medieval period. The event recreates the atmosphere experienced by pilgrims in the Middle Ages and invites the public to immerse themselves in the history of the Camino de Santiago.
The initiative runs for six days, opening from 5:00 pm to midnight on September 9, from 12:00 pm to midnight on September 10 and 11, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 am on September 12 and 13, and from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the final day, September 14.
Tickets and wristbands are already available for pre-sale and can be purchased at the municipal museums Quinta de Santiago and Da Memória, in Matosinhos, from Tuesday to Friday, between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
