Empire of the Divine Holy Spirit of the Altars

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Altares

Location

The Império do Divino Espírito Santo dos Altares is located in the civil parish of Altares, a picturesque locality within the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on the stunning Terceira Island, Azores. This building, with its striking presence, is a visible part of Altares' identity and community life, reflecting the deep devotion and centuries-old traditions of the region.

Origin and Construction

The history of the Império do Divino Espírito Santo dos Altares dates back to an ancient brotherhood. Although the institution is rooted in the 16th century, with centuries of devotion and tradition, the building visible today was constructed later, in the early 20th century, having been inaugurated in 1903.

As an essential complement to its activities, a pantry was added, a fundamental support space for holding the festivities. This pantry, annexed to the Império, began operating in 1960, demonstrating the evolution and adaptation of the structures over time, to better serve the community and its celebrations.

The Festivities and Their Particularities

This Império is the central point for the emblematic Holy Spirit festivities in the parish, with emphasis on its famous bodos, moments of sharing and celebration that involve the entire community. One of the most notable characteristics of the Altares festivities was their division into two distinct dates for the main events.

Historically, the brotherhood was divided, with one part celebrating the bodo on Pentecost Sunday and the other doing so on Holy Trinity Sunday. This rivalry, which marked the 1960s, made the Altares bodos particularly known for their abundance and the remarkable participation of both local residents and visitors. During this period, necessity led to the creation of a new set of crowns, used specifically for coronations held outside the church, an aspect that underscores the adaptability and richness of local traditions.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt