June 29, St. Peter's Day, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and one of the three Popular Saints. Its original name was Simon, being renamed by Jesus. Considered as the first Pope of the Catholic Church, he gave up his life as a fish fisherman to become the fisherman of men.
São Pedro is very present in the region's toponymy, giving name to one of the most populous parishes in Funchal and to several streets in that city, “Ribeira Brava”, “Santa Cruz”, “Câmara de Lobos”, “Porto Santo” and “São Jorge”. In ancient times, there was a Fort and a Fish Market in Funchal named after him, the military structure was built in 1707 in “Corpo Santo” and demolished in 1897, and the square that was located on the beach, where today “Avenida do Mar” intersects the autonomy square, it was inaugurated on June 29, 1840, and was replaced one hundred years later by “Mercado dos Lavradores”.
This Saint is patron of the parishes of “Ponta do Pargo” and “São Pedro” (Funchal) and there are several chapels dedicated to him in the archipelago, more specifically in “Porto Moniz” (“Lamaceiros”), “Porto Santo” (“Campo de Baixo”), “Santa Cruz” (“Lombada”) and “Santana” (“São Jorge”). Around this time, there are several celebrations in his honor, and the parish of “Ribeira Brava” also celebrates São Pedro with special devotion, despite having São Bento as patron. This festivity is always colorful and lively with traditional popular marches and night crossings of “charola” and boats decorated with regional products. Some localities have traditions that are peculiar to them, such as the Dance of the Swords in Ribeira Brava (custom dating back to 1578) and the Fish Auction, in “Porto Santo”.

Credits: Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente's.

 

JOÃO BIANCHI
Wedding couple leaving the church of São Pedro, Parish of São Pedro, Funchal Municipality | before 1928
17.8 x 12.9 cm | Simple negative, glass | Gelatin and silver salts
MFM-AV, Inv. VVP / 55