Arcas (Macedo de Cavaleiros)
Encyclopedia
Arcas is a Portuguese
parish in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros in the northeast corner of Portugal. In 2001, its population included 389 inhabitants, spread-out over an area of 23.02 km² (there were approximately 17 inhabitants per square kilometre).
ic funerary monuments located within its territory. Legend suggests that these funerary structures existed on the site that the current church dedicated to the Divino Senhor dos Passos.
Its geographic isolation, due to its high relief, morphological obstacles and extreme climate was always a factor that prevented large human settlements. Regardless, the territory came under Roman occupation, which imposed a modernizing trend on to the Celto-iberian tribes that forged in the region.
With the influence of feudal nobility, such as Bragançãos, the jurisdiction was slowly populated. In 1284, a foral was bestowed on Nozelos by King Denis
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, is situated on a fertile valley near the Serra de Bornes.
It is constituted by two settlements (Nozelos and Morgão), and surrounded by the neighbouring parishes of Vilarinho de Agrochão, Murçós, Ferreira, Corujas, Ala and Vilarinho do Monte.
The community has two schools that provide primary education.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
parish in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros in the northeast corner of Portugal. In 2001, its population included 389 inhabitants, spread-out over an area of 23.02 km² (there were approximately 17 inhabitants per square kilometre).
History
Little is known as to the parishes founding, although its toponomic name may refer to the existence of megalithMegalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic funerary monuments located within its territory. Legend suggests that these funerary structures existed on the site that the current church dedicated to the Divino Senhor dos Passos.
Its geographic isolation, due to its high relief, morphological obstacles and extreme climate was always a factor that prevented large human settlements. Regardless, the territory came under Roman occupation, which imposed a modernizing trend on to the Celto-iberian tribes that forged in the region.
With the influence of feudal nobility, such as Bragançãos, the jurisdiction was slowly populated. In 1284, a foral was bestowed on Nozelos by King Denis
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
.
Geography
Arcas, parish of the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, in the old district of BragançaBragança (district)
Bragança District is a traditional political division of Portugal, in the northeast corner bordering on Spain, covering 7.4% of the nations continental landmass. The capital of the district, Bragança, is 217 kilometres from Porto, the second largest town in Portugal, and 107 kilometres and 169...
, is situated on a fertile valley near the Serra de Bornes.
It is constituted by two settlements (Nozelos and Morgão), and surrounded by the neighbouring parishes of Vilarinho de Agrochão, Murçós, Ferreira, Corujas, Ala and Vilarinho do Monte.
The community has two schools that provide primary education.
Economy
The primary sector dominates the economic activities of its inhabitants, dominated by subsistence agriculture. This includes primarily fruit orchards (cherry, grape, figs), olive trees and vineyards, in addition to cattle herding for milk and/or meat. Cork is also exploited. The secondary sector is related to these essential industries, including the production of olive oil, but also include iron and aluminium metallurgy. Commercial activities are limited to a store and market.Notable citizens
- Manuel de Almeida Pessanha (20 August 1825 - 15 January 1871), a politician, Civil Governor of Bragança (in 1858), and Peer-of-the-Realm (in 1863);
- João Manuel de Almeida Morais Pessanha (3 February 1843 - 22 June 1905), priest, military chaplain, and Knight of the Order of AvizOrder of AvizThe Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1789 Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz , previously Knights of St. Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese Order of Chivalry...
; - Francisco de Assis Pereira do Lago, Viscount of Arcas (8 January 1844 - 4 February 1914), politician and Civil Governor of Bragança (in 1886)