Category: Religious Architecture > Wayside Shrine / Niche
District: Aveiro > Águeda > Águeda e Borralha > Catraia de Assequins
The Alminhas da Catraia are located in Catraia de Assequins, an urbanized area that is part of the parish of Águeda e Borralha, in the municipality of Águeda. This place is situated within a residential community, serving as a discreet reference point, but with cultural significance in the local landscape.
Located in an urban context, the Alminhas are a testament to popular faith and traditions, marking a serene presence that invites a moment of pause in the rhythm of the locality. Its location integrates naturally into the daily life of the surrounding area.
The Alminhas da Catraia represent a type of popular devotion monument, common in Portugal, dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory. Traditionally, these structures serve as places of prayer and reflection, where people light candles and place flowers in memory of deceased loved ones.
This small oratory is a link between the community and its Christian faith, keeping alive a tradition that is manifested in the simplicity of gestures from those who pass by. It is an invitation to introspection and understanding of local religious and cultural practices.
More than just a simple construction, the Alminhas da Catraia function as a symbol of identity and cohesion for the community of Catraia de Assequins. Their presence in the urbanization reflects the importance of beliefs and customs rooted in the daily lives of the people who inhabit this place.
The simplicity of its form invites careful observation, revealing the depth of popular religious sentiment and the persistence of rituals of remembrance and veneration. It is an element that, due to its simplicity and meaning, contributes to the authentic character of the place.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.57108258, -8.42951654
Coordinates DMS: 40°34'15.9"N 08°25'46.3"W
