Thousands of pilgrims visit Balazar each year. They come to see the Sanctuary of Blessed Alexandrina. Let’s delve into the story of Balazar.
Balazar is a parish in Póvoa de Varzim. It gained fame in 2004. This was after Alexandrina Maria da Costa’s beatification. Pope John Paul II performed the ceremony. It took place on April 25th.
Pilgrimages to Balazar’s church were already common. Alexandrina’s body rests there. These pilgrimages became even more popular after her beatification. The church is considering building a shrine to Alexandrina. This depends on pilgrim numbers. It also depends on her being declared a saint.
Balazar’s history stretches back. It was once an ecclesiastical parish in Barcelos. This lasted until 1836. Then it became a civil unit. It transferred to Póvoa de Varzim. In 1853, it moved to Vila Nova de Famalicão. Póvoa de Varzim town hall requested its return. Two years later, it returned to Póvoa.
Balazar is about 14 km east of downtown Póvoa de Varzim. It borders Rates to the west. It also borders Barcelos, Vila Nova de Famalicão and Vila do Conde.
The parish includes several localities. These include Agrelos, Além, Bouça Velha and Calvário. Also Caminho Largo, Casal, Covilhã and Cruz. And Escariz, Fontaínhas, Gandra and Gestrins. Not to forget Gresufes, Guardinhos, Lousadelo and Matinho. Plus Monte Tapado, Outeiro, Quinta, Telo, Terra Ruim, Vela and Vila Pouca.
Balazar has a football club. It is called Associação e Desportiva Cultural Balasar. They play at the Lino Araújo sports complex. This complex opened in 2019.
Balazar is also known as Balasar. It covers an area of 11.61 km². In 2011, the population was 2,543. This gives a density of 220 people per km². Balazar’s patron saint is Eulalia of Mérida. Also, Blessed Alexandrina. The postal code is 4570 Balazar PVZ.
Balazar became known worldwide. It is a Christian pilgrimage center. This is due to the life of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa. She was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II. Catholic pilgrims visit the town daily.
Balazar was once a Lusitanian-Roman village. It belonged to the cividade of Bagunte. The name Balazar comes from Belizári. An old form of the name was Belzar. This appears in some documents.
Until 1836, Balazar depended on Barcelos. It became a civil parish. It moved to the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In 1853, it transferred to Vila Nova de Famalicão. In 1855, it returned to Póvoa. This followed protests from Póvoa de Varzim Municipal Council.
The area of Balazar parish was different in the past. In 1090, the Bishop Dom Pedro mentioned Balazar. At that time, there were two parishes. They were Santa Eulália de Lousadelo and São Salvador de Gresufes. In 1215, Santa Eulália moved to Casal. Casal was more populated. There was also a miraculous fountain there. It was a destination for pilgrimages.
Around that time the parish name changed to Belzar. This was to end disputes over the name. In 1422, Dom Fernando Guerra annexed Gresufes to Balazar. This was due to economic difficulties. In 1832, the Santa Cruz appeared in Calvário.
Alexandrina Maria da Costa died in 1955. She quickly gained a reputation for holiness. Pope John Paul II beatified her.
Balazar is more than just a location. It is a place of faith. A place of history. And a place of pilgrimage. Its story is one of devotion. It is also a story of community.