Romarias de São Miguel (Romeiros) is one of the oldest and most powerful religious traditions in the Azores.

The Romarias de São Miguel, also known as the Romeiros, date back to the 16th century, after the devastating earthquake and landslide that destroyed Vila Franca do Campo in 1522 and killed thousands of people.

In response to that tragedy, groups of men began walking around the entire island of São Miguel, praying for protection and forgiveness, asking that such destruction would never happen again. That walk became a tradition. And it never stopped.

Every year during Lent, groups of around 30 to 50 men walk the full perimeter of the island for about a week. They wear traditional clothing, carry staffs and rosaries, and pray as they walk, often in silence, sometimes singing religious chants.

They sleep in churches. Or in the homes of strangers. And that’s one of the most powerful parts.

Each day, when the group arrives in a new parish, local families open their doors. They host one or two Romeiros in their homes. They give them dinner. A shower. A bed. For free. No conditions. Just hospitality.

For that week, the men disconnect completely. No phones. No outside contact. No distractions. It’s introspection, discipline, faith, and physical endurance all mixed together.

You’ll see them on the roads during that time. Sometimes in the early morning. Sometimes at night. If you’re driving, slow down and respect the space. They are walking for spiritual reasons, not for spectacle.

I’ve done it twice. It’s exhausting. Emotional. Humbling. And it’s one of the most meaningful Azorean traditions that still exists today. This isn’t folklore. It’s alive.