Feira do Santa Iria
The ‘Feira de Santa Iria’ the Patron Saint of Tomar is celebrated in the town, each year in October. This years dates are 17th - 26th.
According to legend the body of Iria ( Irene ) a beautiful young girl of 15, who was well educated and from a wealthy family in Tomar, was found floating in the river Tagus. Her beauty and wealth had attracted numerous suitors, and it is rumoured , that she was murdered following the discovery that she was ‘with child’.
After the event she was declared a ‘Saint’ and canonized by the Christian Church.
All ages can enjoy the the live music bands, dancing and fun fair organised today by the Tomar City Council, in a week long ‘Festa’ to celebrate her life, which also includes many stalls set up in the narrow cobbled streets, selling crafts of various descriptions, together with seasonal dried fruits and nuts. In fact it is often referred to as the ‘Raisin’ Festival!
