Agadão

Template:Geobox Agadão is a Portuguese civil parish located in Águeda Municipality in the Baixo Vouga Subregion. Its population was less than 500 inhabitants from the 2001 census, in an area of 35.34 km² (14 inhabitants/km²); it is the second largest parish in area, penultimate center of population (and consequently second-least dense parish).

History

Agadão was created when the religious parish was de-annexed from Castanheira do Vouga, to establish a new faith community. During the first construction of the main church, around 1220, the manors of Vila Mendo de Cima and Vila Mendo de Baixo within Agadão, were being audited by King Afonso II, as part of his revisions to property rights.

The lands of the parish later pertained to the Counts of Feira, until the last Count Fernando Forjaz Pereira Pimentel de Menezes e Silva died in 1700 without an heir, and those lands were transferred to the Casa do Infantado (that included several seigneurial holdings confiscated from the Spanish after the Portuguese Restoration War).

The parishes church was constructed in the 18th Century on the hilltop locality of Lomba. But the region also includes many minor chapels scattered throughout the villages and hamlets, some in various states of decay or degradation, such as: Chapel of Menino Jesus (Caselho), Chapel of São Bartolomeu (Alcafaz), Chapel of Senhora da Paz (Sobreira), Chapel of Santa Bárbara (Felgueira), Chapel of São Tomé (Guístola) and the Chapel of São João (Catraia).

Geography

Agadão is situated in the southeast corner of the municipality of Águeda, occupying the valley at the foot of the Serra do Caramulo, sustained by the Agadão River (a tributary of the Águeda River), that meanders north to south. It is located approximately 16 kilometers from the municipal seat.

Its immediate neighbors include the parishes of Belazaima do Chão (along the southwest), Castanheira do Vouga (to the northwest), as well as the parishes of Pala in the southern municipality of Mortágua, and Mosteirinho and São João do Monte in the eastern municipality of Tondela.

Economy

In addition to agriculture, the forestry sector and industry are the dominant economic activities in the local villages. Another of the main industries is water-bottling, which has supported the economy of this parish, and primarily of the village of Alcafaz.

Architecture

Religious

• Igreja Matriz of Santa Maria Madelana (English: Matriz Church of Saint Mary Magdalene) - center of the parishes' religious life, the historic church celebrates on 20–21 June the celebrations in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Mary Magdalene;
• Capela de São Bartolomeu (English: Chapel of Saint Bartholomew) - located in the community of Alcafaz;
• Capela de Santo André (English: Chapel of Saint André) - located in Berturfo;
• Capela da Nossa Senhora da Paz (English: Chapel of Our Lady of Peace) - located in Sobreira;
• Capela da Santa Bárbara (English: Chapel of Saint Barbara) - located in Felgueira

Culture

The parish's gastronomic specialties include chanfana (a rich lamb stew cook in a cast-iron pot slowly for 5 hours) and broa de milho (a traditional bread made from corn and wheat flour).

References

Notes

Sources

• Redacção Soberania, ed. (2008-10-31), Agadão: Lutar contra os "abutres" políticos que querem usar o nosso bom nome (in Portuguese), Águeda, Portugal: Soberania do Povo, retrieved 2010-10-21 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)