Marchas Populares
Leitão de Barros organised the first competitive Marchas Populares de Lisboa (Lisbon Popular Marches) in 1932. The marches were held throughout the New State dictatorship period. There were no official Marchas Populares following the overthrow of the regime in 1974 until Lisbon City Council reinstated them in 1990. The marches are now the highlight of the month-long Festas da Cidade (Lisbon Festival), which takes place every June. The Marches take place on the night of 12 June, the eve of the feast day of St Anthony of Padua, who was born in Lisbon, and who is the city's unofficial patron saint (St Vincent of Saragossa is the patron saint).
In 1958, 26 couples were married in a ceremony known as the Casamentos de Santo António, with the newlyweds joining the Marchas in the evening. This tradition continued until 1974. These days the Casamentos de Santo António are a high-profile event operated in conjunction with Lisbon City Council, with a large-scale ceremony uniting sixteen happy couples in wedlock. To qualify, at least one of the potential brides or grooms must reside in the Lisbon area, with both being legally available to marry and willing to comply with all the required formalities, including press interviews and TV appearances.
2008: 1 - Marvila, 2 - Alfama, 3 - Madragoa
2009: 1= Alfama, Castelo. 3 = Madragoa, Marvila
2010: 1 - Alfama, 2 - Marvila, 3 - Bica
2011: 1 - Alto do Pina, 2 - Alfama, 3 - Madragoa
2012: 1 - Alto do Pina, 2 - Alfama, 3 - Alcântara
