Sanfins Medieval - 13th Galician-Minho Gathering

On 6 and 7 June 2026, the historic Sanfins Monastery in Valença hosts the 13th edition of Sanfins Medieval – Galician-Minho Gathering, one of the most emblematic cultural celebrations in the Alto Minho region. The event combines heritage, culture, music and border-region gastronomy in an atmosphere shaped by history and the cross-border identity that connects Galicia and Minho.

The Saturday, 6 June programme begins at 3:00 PM with painters working in the monastery cloister, the "Painting in the Chapel" exhibition and ambient music. At 7:00 PM there is a guided tour titled "Retrospective – 13 Years", revisiting the history of the gathering. At 8:00 PM a moment of singing takes place in the chapel, followed at 8:30 PM by a traditional dinner featuring Galician empanadas, roasted lamb and regional rice. The evening continues with fado at 10:30 PM and closes with the traditional Galician Queimada fire ritual at midnight.

On Sunday, 7 June, the programme starts at 11:00 AM with ambient music and the continuing chapel exhibition. At 1:00 PM lunch is served featuring products from the border region, and at 3:00 PM the highlight of the gathering takes place: the Galician-Minho Folk Music Festival, featuring the Valença-based group Luar do Minho and guest ensembles from both sides of the border. The event closes at 6:00 PM with the symbolic "Monks' Retreat", a moment of fellowship among all participants.

Year after year, Sanfins Medieval has become a gathering that celebrates tradition, collective memory and the Galician-Minho cultural identity, while simultaneously promoting the rich historical and natural heritage of Sanfins Monastery and the municipality of Valença. It is an unmissable opportunity to discover the soul of Minho in a truly unique setting.