Souls

Category: Religious Architecture > Place of Worship

District: Aveiro > São João da Madeira > São João da Madeira > Casaldelo

Location

The Alminhas, situated in the Casaldelo area, in São João da Madeira, are located at a point that, over time, would have been a crossroads or a significant passage. This site, set in an area that is now more urbanized, retains the essence of a route marker, inviting pause and reflection. It is an element that integrates into the local landscape, witnessing the evolution of the territory and the traditions that persisted within it.

A Symbol of Popular Devotion

The Alminhas are small altars of devotion, deeply rooted in Portuguese popular culture. They represent an expression of faith dedicated to the souls that, according to Catholic belief, are in Purgatory, a state of purification before reaching Heaven. Their main purpose is to solicit prayers and supplications from passers-by, in a manifestation of spiritual solidarity with the deceased.

Typically, these structures feature a panel, often painted or in bas-relief, illustrating souls in agony, sometimes accompanied by figures such as angels, the Virgin Mary, Christ, or other saints, who come to their aid. It is not uncommon to find, next to these Alminhas, lit candles, fresh flowers, or small offerings left by people, as a sign of faith and remembrance.

Origin and Historical Significance

The concept of Purgatory, and the consequent need for prayers for the deceased, gained greater strength in the Catholic Church after the Council of Trent in the 16th century. It was during this period that the Confraternities of Souls were established, promoting the belief that the prayers and alms of the living could help souls exit this intermediate state more quickly.

The Alminhas emerged as a materialization of this devotion, serving as reference points and reminders for travelers and local inhabitants. Although many written records date after the 19th century, their presence in Portuguese territory dates back to previous centuries, remaining as an artistic-religious heritage of great cultural and symbolic value, peculiar to Portugal. These structures tell a part of the history of faith and the customs of generations.

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