Good Friday, known as 'Sexta-feira Santa' in Portuguese, is a significant Christian holiday in Portugal. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary as told in the Christian Bible. Good Friday is observed during Holy Week, which precedes Easter Sunday. Unlike many other public holidays, it's a movable observance that doesn't fall on a fixed calendar date, but its date varies between March 20 and April 23. Also, it is one of the many holidays declared as public holidays in Portugal.
On Good Friday, several religious ceremonies and traditions take place in different regions of Portugal. One of the most noted is the procession of the Holy Burial in the city of Braga. The city of Braga has a deep religious history and is considered the 'Rome of Portugal' because of its strong ties to Roman Catholicism. In this procession, different episodes from biblical narratives about Jesus' path to crucifixion are recreated, providing a visual representation of the Bible stories, and believers are given a chance to partake in the solemnity of the event.
Another special tradition associated with Good Friday is the Folar. Folar is a Portuguese sweet bread, and it symbolizes either Christ's resurrection or the sharing of bread at the Last Supper depending upon the region. Along with these religious ceremonies and traditions, it is also a day of serious reflection and prayer for Christians, hence any kind of festivity or fanfare is generally avoided. All these elements help make Good Friday in Portugal a unique and deep-rooted observance.