The Festa do Monte, one of Madeira's oldest and most popular religious celebrations, upholds tradition on the night of August 14th. The event, dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount, the island's patron saint, attracts residents, visitors, and emigrants.
Devotion to Our Lady of the Mount dates back to the island's early colonization and is linked to a tragic historical event: a flood in 1803 that caused approximately one thousand deaths. The following year, the Diocese of Funchal proclaimed her the patron saint of Madeira to help overcome the calamity.
The central celebrations include religious services on the 15th, such as the Solemn Mass and the Procession of Our Lady of the Mount. Other parallel events also mark August 14th, including cultural and sporting initiatives.
