Aveleda (Bragança)
Encyclopedia
Aveleda is a Portuguese
civil parish in the municipality of Bragança. The population in 2001 was 253 inhabitants, in an area of 62.2 km² (density of 4.07/km²) along the northern border of Portugal.
has a number of significances. For one, there is the Roman interpreation, derived from the Roman Avé Leda, which means beautiful place. While others assume that the name was derived from Veleda, a venerated Visigoth
ic or Subic priest of the 4th century. Another interpretation suggest that the name was derived from ave feliz.
What is certain, is that this name only appeared during the 1250 Inquirições of Afonso III
. This is because the area around Aveleda was under the protection of Spanish monasteries of Moreirola and San Martin de Castanheda. It was here that the celebrated Abbott of Baçal was parish priest (between 1896 and 1910), always travelling by foot and complying a dossier of his thoughts in Memórias Arqueológico: Históricas do Distrito de Bragança, a twelve tome
work detailing the municipal history. In this case, he referred specifically to the village of Varge (on the southern perimeter of Aveleda), which was derived from varzena or varcena, a medieval term to designate artificial or natural low wetlands. The wells in this area are also referred to by the local peoples as varja or varjas, literally fish traps.
The Matriz Church, on a slight elevation, dates back to the 18th century.
The bridge that crosses the Pepim River in Aveleda, constructed on stone, was completed in 1952.
), three kilometres northeast of the municipal seat of Bragança.
It is characterized by hills and river-valleys, along a plateau with an average of 500 metres altitude. It is crossed by two water courses that flow from north to south: the Ribeira das Igrejas, which crosses the village of Varge, and the Ribeira de Pepim, which intersects the village of Aveleda. Both ravines spring from the Serra de Pedralba, crossing from Spain, and flow as tributaries of the Sabor River.
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...
civil parish in the municipality of Bragança. The population in 2001 was 253 inhabitants, in an area of 62.2 km² (density of 4.07/km²) along the northern border of Portugal.
History
The parish of Aveleda derives its name from the village, whose toponymyToponymy
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...
has a number of significances. For one, there is the Roman interpreation, derived from the Roman Avé Leda, which means beautiful place. While others assume that the name was derived from Veleda, a venerated Visigoth
Visigoth
The Visigoths were one of two main branches of the Goths, the Ostrogoths being the other. These tribes were among the Germans who spread through the late Roman Empire during the Migration Period...
ic or Subic priest of the 4th century. Another interpretation suggest that the name was derived from ave feliz.
What is certain, is that this name only appeared during the 1250 Inquirições of Afonso III
Afonso III of Portugal
Afonso III , or Affonso , Alfonso or Alphonso or Alphonsus , the Bolognian , the fifth King of Portugal and the first to use the title King of Portugal and the Algarve, from 1249...
. This is because the area around Aveleda was under the protection of Spanish monasteries of Moreirola and San Martin de Castanheda. It was here that the celebrated Abbott of Baçal was parish priest (between 1896 and 1910), always travelling by foot and complying a dossier of his thoughts in Memórias Arqueológico: Históricas do Distrito de Bragança, a twelve tome
Tome
A tome is a large book, especially one volume of a multi-volume scholarly work.It may also refer to:-Places:* Tome, Miyagi, city in Japan * Tome-Adelino, New Mexico, city in New Mexico-People:...
work detailing the municipal history. In this case, he referred specifically to the village of Varge (on the southern perimeter of Aveleda), which was derived from varzena or varcena, a medieval term to designate artificial or natural low wetlands. The wells in this area are also referred to by the local peoples as varja or varjas, literally fish traps.
The Matriz Church, on a slight elevation, dates back to the 18th century.
The bridge that crosses the Pepim River in Aveleda, constructed on stone, was completed in 1952.
Geography
Aveleda is located along the Portuguese-Spanish border within the Parque Natural de Montesinho (Montesinho Natural ParkMontesinho Natural Park
The Montesinho Natural Park is a protected area located in the municipalities of Vinhais and Bragança, northeastern Portugal. Sections of the southern slopes of the Serra da Coroa fall within the park....
), three kilometres northeast of the municipal seat of Bragança.
It is characterized by hills and river-valleys, along a plateau with an average of 500 metres altitude. It is crossed by two water courses that flow from north to south: the Ribeira das Igrejas, which crosses the village of Varge, and the Ribeira de Pepim, which intersects the village of Aveleda. Both ravines spring from the Serra de Pedralba, crossing from Spain, and flow as tributaries of the Sabor River.
Architecture
There are several vistages of historical architecture and rural constructions in this parish, that include: the two main historical springs/wells (Fonte da Pinela and Fonte d'Aldeia), which were subterranean channels of potable water; watermills and ancient blacksmith's forge.Religious
- Matriz Church of Aveleda
- Chapel of São Sebastião (Chapel of Saint Sebastian) - celebrates an annual celebration on 20 January, during the agricultural traditions of winter