Arcos de Valdevez
Encyclopedia
Arcos de Valdevez (ˈaɾkuʒ ðɨ ˌvaɫdɨˈveʃ) is a municipality along the northern frontier of Portugal
and Galicia (Spain), that incorporates a territory of 447.6 km² and a total population of 24,466 inhabitants (2006). The municipality is composed of 51 parishes, and is the largest administrative unit of Viana do Castelo District.
The seat is in the town of Arcos de Valdevez
.
that exist throughout the area, and in particular, in the parishes of Ázere, Álvora and Cendufe.
During the Middle Age many of these proto-cultural sites were abandoned for medieval parishes or monasteries located along plains or atop strategic hills, such as the Monastery of Ermelo (Cistercians) or Santa Maria de Miranda (Benedictine
). These areas facilitated settlement, which was tied to herding and seasonal cultivation, while the mountains provided many sources of game
. The facility of settlement greatly enhanced its importance, since its proximity to Spanish territory favored strategic expansion into the south: the number of medieval bridges in the area, such as in Vilela and Cabreiro improved further expansion.
In documents dating back to the 10th and 11th Century, there were several military, social centers and infrastructures had been built along these northern positions. A Roman-type bridge within the municipal limits, was constructed between the 12th and 13th Century, and first referenced during the named Inquirições de 1258 (1258 Inquiries), when the name Arcos appeared in Portuguese toponymy
.
Although abandoned in the 13th Century Castle of Santa Cruz in Vila Fonche, which predates the actual village, was one of the first human centers, helping to protect human populations and facilitate communication that crossed the bridges along the Vez River. By 1258, the Castle controlled a geographic area that included the present boundaries of Arcos de Valdevez. Its importance along these trade and military routes influenced King Manuel I
to elevate this "metro-pole" to the status of village in 1515.
Liberal reforms during the 18th Century would expand the administrative limits of the municipality, with the annexation of the areas of Soajo, Ermelo and Gavieira.
peninsula, integrated in the Minho Province. Alto Minho's capital, the Viana do Castelo District is 40 km from Arcos, it is located 36 km from Braga Municipality
and 90 km from Oporto, occupying 35% of the Lima Valley.
Its relative closeness to the Oporto Metropolitan Region and many of their local infrastructures, that include airports and roadways provide a context for development. The nearest international airport, Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (in Oporto) is 90 km away and similarly, the Vigo-Peinador Airport
(Spain) is about 90 km to the north, while the Santiago de Compostela Airport
is a further 160 km from the center of Arcos.
The municipal seat of Arcos de Valdevez is composed of the civil parishes of Salvador and São Paio, which together account for a residency of approximately 2204 inhabitants. It is characteristic of the larger area of northern Norte Region, with a relatively homogeneous culture and settlement, within a similar scenic environment. It is one of the municipalities in continental Portugal with many civil parishes (51 in total); they include:
The largest of these parishes, Gaveira, Soajo, Cabeiro Gondoriz and Sistelo, are located in the mountainous areas that are part of Peneda-Gerês National Park
. Administratively, along with Viana do Castelo, Ponte da Lima and Ponte de Barca, it is overseen by the VALIMA Associação de Municípos do Vale do Lima (Association of Municipalities of the Vale do Lima).
In addition, there are several local sports organizations and clubs that benefit from the local infrastructures or offer different sporting services; these include the local esquestrian
and nautical club.
Arcos' local football (soccer) club is the Clube Atlético de Valdevez (C.A. Valdevez
), established in 1945, and currently playing the Portuguese Second Division
Series A league.
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...
and Galicia (Spain), that incorporates a territory of 447.6 km² and a total population of 24,466 inhabitants (2006). The municipality is composed of 51 parishes, and is the largest administrative unit of Viana do Castelo District.
The seat is in the town of Arcos de Valdevez
Arcos de Valdevez
Arcos de Valdevez is a municipality along the northern frontier of Portugal and Galicia , that incorporates a territory of 447.6 km² and a total population of 24,466 inhabitants...
.
History
The first settlements in the area of Arcos de Valdevez occurred between the 5th and 5rd millennium A.D., verified by archeological investigations from many of the funerary mounds within the municipality, such as Núcleo Megalítico do Mezio. This also includes many rock carvings and paintings that were found in the Gião archeological station. This period of proto-history, and Roman occupation, not just for its influence on toponymy, was important for many of the defensive and habitational structures that dot the landscape of the municipality. These include many of the castrosCastro culture
Castro culture is the archaeological term for naming the Celtic archaeological culture of the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula from the end of the Bronze Age until it was subsumed in local Roman culture...
that exist throughout the area, and in particular, in the parishes of Ázere, Álvora and Cendufe.
During the Middle Age many of these proto-cultural sites were abandoned for medieval parishes or monasteries located along plains or atop strategic hills, such as the Monastery of Ermelo (Cistercians) or Santa Maria de Miranda (Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
). These areas facilitated settlement, which was tied to herding and seasonal cultivation, while the mountains provided many sources of game
Game (food)
Game is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated. Game animals are also hunted for sport.The type and range of animals hunted for food varies in different parts of the world. This will be influenced by climate, animal diversity, local taste and locally accepted view about what can or...
. The facility of settlement greatly enhanced its importance, since its proximity to Spanish territory favored strategic expansion into the south: the number of medieval bridges in the area, such as in Vilela and Cabreiro improved further expansion.
In documents dating back to the 10th and 11th Century, there were several military, social centers and infrastructures had been built along these northern positions. A Roman-type bridge within the municipal limits, was constructed between the 12th and 13th Century, and first referenced during the named Inquirições de 1258 (1258 Inquiries), when the name Arcos appeared in Portuguese toponymy
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
.
Although abandoned in the 13th Century Castle of Santa Cruz in Vila Fonche, which predates the actual village, was one of the first human centers, helping to protect human populations and facilitate communication that crossed the bridges along the Vez River. By 1258, the Castle controlled a geographic area that included the present boundaries of Arcos de Valdevez. Its importance along these trade and military routes influenced King Manuel I
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
to elevate this "metro-pole" to the status of village in 1515.
Liberal reforms during the 18th Century would expand the administrative limits of the municipality, with the annexation of the areas of Soajo, Ermelo and Gavieira.
Geography
Arcos de Valdevez is situated in the northwest PortuguesePortugal
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...
peninsula, integrated in the Minho Province. Alto Minho's capital, the Viana do Castelo District is 40 km from Arcos, it is located 36 km from Braga Municipality
Braga Municipality
-Parishes:...
and 90 km from Oporto, occupying 35% of the Lima Valley.
Its relative closeness to the Oporto Metropolitan Region and many of their local infrastructures, that include airports and roadways provide a context for development. The nearest international airport, Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (in Oporto) is 90 km away and similarly, the Vigo-Peinador Airport
Vigo-Peinador Airport
Vigo Airport is east from the centre of Vigo, and is situated in the municipalities of Redondela, Vigo and Mos, Spain. In 2010, 1.093.571 passengers and 901 tonnes of goods passed through the airport.- History :...
(Spain) is about 90 km to the north, while the Santiago de Compostela Airport
Santiago de Compostela Airport
Santiago de Compostela Airport - Lavacolla is one of the three international airports in Galicia, Spain. It is located in Lavacolla, a town in the outskirts of Galicia's capital city, Santiago de Compostela. In 2010, 2,172,869 passengers passed through it....
is a further 160 km from the center of Arcos.
Parishes
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Santa Maria de Távora Santa Maria de Távora is a Portuguese parish of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez. It has an area of 3.81 km² and has a population of 892 . Its density is 191.3 inhabitants/km² .... |
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The largest of these parishes, Gaveira, Soajo, Cabeiro Gondoriz and Sistelo, are located in the mountainous areas that are part of Peneda-Gerês National Park
Peneda-Gerês National Park
The Peneda-Gerês National Park , also known simply as Gerês, is the only national park in Portugal...
. Administratively, along with Viana do Castelo, Ponte da Lima and Ponte de Barca, it is overseen by the VALIMA Associação de Municípos do Vale do Lima (Association of Municipalities of the Vale do Lima).
Architecture
Civic
- Solar da Quinta de Aboim (Manor House of Quinta de Aboim) - located in the parish of Aboim das Choças, it is an example of a nobleman's 18th Century manor house;
- Casa Solarenga de Requeijo (Sun-Manor House of Requeijo) - a manor house with a characteristic rectangular plan from the 18th Century, and constructed two towers, three-floors and a lateral Francisacan chapel. The main floor is circled with elaborate entrances and columns.
- Pelourinho de Arcos de Valdevez (Pillory of Arcos de Valdevez) - in 1515 King Manuel IManuel I of PortugalManuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
had this stone structure built in the main square, but was moved in 1700 from the Praça Municipal (Municipal Square) to the river's edge, until finally being re-erected in a small square along a strip near the main church. In 1998, it was replaced in its present location. Designed by João Lopes, it is a single structure in the form of a twisted colunade, surmounted by the Portuguese military sphere and national shield, atypical of common pillory usage. - Ponte de Arcos de Valdevez (Arcos de Valdevez) - constructed during the 19th Century, beginning in 1876 and finalized in 1880, to substitute the medieval construction. The monument is composed of stone blocks in four arcs with ample lateral accesses in a Roman style that open to a flat platform.
Religious
- Capela da Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception)
- Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Lapa (Church of Our Lady of Lapa) - to constructed to the cult of Nossa Senhora da Lapa, with influences from the Beira region, it was completed in 1767, and is characterized by a central plan with tower and main chapel designed by André Soares in the Baroque style. The interior, including the altars and ornamentation was completed in the RococoRococoRococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
-style. - Igreja da Misericórdia e Cruzeiro (Church of Mercy and Cross) - in 1595, the Confraria da Misericórdia was established in Arcos, and promoted the construction of the villages first temple, which was completed in 1710. The church presents a Rococo architecture, that is richly decorated in Baroque (the main and side doorways) and neo-Classical (pulpits and sacristy) elements. Located in an enclosed lateral square, formerly the old cemetery, it is an example of 18th Century design, with a base decorated with representations of the life of ChristChristChrist is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
. - Igreja de São Bento (Church of Saint Benedict) - located on a prominent overlook, west of the village, it was completed in 1674, incorporating the older Franciscan Monsatary (today survived by a lone house), and decorated with azulejoAzulejoAzulejo from the Arabic word Zellige زليج is a form of Portuguese or Spanish painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. They have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture, having been produced without interruption for five centuries...
and diverse religious images from the 17th Century; - Igreja do Espírito Santo (Church of the Holy Spirit) - the Confraria do Espírito Santo were reseponsible for the erection of this church in 1681, in the Mannerist style and remodelled during the 19th century in the neo-Classical tradition. Its interior shows notable examples of 17th Century paintings, as well as a sculpted pulpit, attributed to the Arcuense manuel Gomes, based on original plans by the painter Álvares Costa.
- Igreja de São Paio (Church of Saint ) - its construction was begun in 1781, and completed in the 19th Century, includes a single bell and staircase, apparently influenced by architecture in Oporto. Azulejos on the front façade date back to the 19th Century.
- Igreja Matriz de Arcos de Valdevez (Matriz Church of Arcos de Valdevez) - this church was constructed under the guidance of King Pedro II, over the medieval ruins during the 18th Cenutry. Its interior is richly decorated with gold-leaf cornices and wood-carved ornamentation from the late 18th to 19th Centuries. In 1776 the Calvário chapel, along the southern annex was completed in the Rococo style;
- Mosteiro de Ázere (Benedictine Monsatery of Ázere)
Sport
The municipal government has funded several sports related projects to develop local athletics, including the construction and/or maintenance of the following:- Piscina Municipal de Arcos de Valdevez (Arcos de Valdevez Municipal Pool), that includes a 47m x 17m x1.8m deep pool, a health club, a commercial area with three shops and snack-bar; the building offers swimming lessons, hidrogymastics, hydro-therapy, jacuzzi, as well as aerobics and training services;
- Estadio Municipal da Coutada (Coutada Municipal Stadium), that supports the activities of the local schools, sports teams (especially soccer and rugbyRugby footballRugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
), as well as athletics that include infrastructures for track events, administration, receptions and a bar.
In addition, there are several local sports organizations and clubs that benefit from the local infrastructures or offer different sporting services; these include the local esquestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
and nautical club.
Arcos' local football (soccer) club is the Clube Atlético de Valdevez (C.A. Valdevez
C.A. Valdevez
Clube Atlético de Valdevez known as CA Valdevez is a Portuguese football club from Arcos Valdevez which was founded in 1945. They currently play in the Portuguese Second Division Serie A and last season they finished 3rd place in the 2007/08 season. They currently play their home games in Estádio...
), established in 1945, and currently playing the Portuguese Second Division
Portuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
Series A league.