Legend of Santa Iria
Saint Irene (Santa Iria ) is the Patron Saint of Tomar and the namesake of Santarem (formerly known as Scalabris)
There are several variations of the legend surrounding the story of Irene, but the one told here says that Iria, daughter of Eugenie and Hermigio, born in c. 635, ( 7th Century ) into an influential family in Tomar, was educated in a convent and later at home, by a private tutor, who was a monk called Remigius. Closely protected by her family, the only time Iria was allowed to leave the house was on each Sunday, to go to Church and it was on one of these occasions that a young nobleman called Britald, saw her and fell hopelessly in love.
He would follow her every week and eventually proposed marriage to Iria, but she made it clear to him, that she would never marry anyone, as she had ‘given herself to God’ and was to become a Nun. Poor Britald was so heartbroken, that he fell into a deep depression…..
Meanwhile her tutor Remigius, started to make advances towards Iria, which again she declined. Spurned by her, the Tutor left his job and started to spread rumours, that his reason for leaving, was that he had found out that Iria was ‘with child’. ( It is said that he possibly gave her a potion of drugs that made her swell ) These rumours soon spread to Britald and on learning of his beloved’s supposed infidelity and pregnancy, he was so enraged and jealous, that he hired a ‘mercenary’ called Banão to kill her.
One evening as she was returning home, she was killed by her assassin, with a single blow from his sword. Thus Iria, died on 20th October c 658, just 18years old, and her body was thrown into the River Nabão. Later she was discovered by Benedictine Monks, further down the River, near to the town of Scalabris.
Eventually, her story became so well known and so much great reverence was paid to this young Virgin girl that she became known as the Patroness of Tomar and the name of Scalabris was changed to the town we know today as Santarém (meaning Saint Irene ).
A small statue of Iria can still be seen, on the side of the Convent of Santa Iria, which was rebuilt on the site of the original 7th Century building, in 1536, near to the old bridge.
Today in Tomar, the Feira do Santa Iria, also known as the ‘Raisin Festival’ is held in the town each year in October, to celebrate Iria’s life. This year, it takes place from 19-28 October 2012. Apart from it’s religious significance, there is also has a modern feel, to the fair, with the festivities lasting for over a week. Some of the streets in the old town and Praça da Republica are full of stalls selling a variety of local crafts, as well as a variety of nuts and dried fruits.
There is a fun fair in the square near the train & bus stations and local bands perform live concerts in the evenings, some in local bars and other in the open air.
The Benedictines say that the legend handed down, through the years, is nothing but fabricated fiction! What IS fact, is that she was a Portuguese Nun, who died in c 658, defending her vow of chastity.
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