Boticas
Encyclopedia
Boticas is a municipality in northern Portugal
with a total area of 321.96 km² and population of approximately 6116 inhabitants (a density of 19 inhabitants per km²).
of Lesenho, at an altitude of 1075 metres, under fields of the parish of São Salvador de Viveiro and municipality of Boticas, considered the most important Lusitania
n castro in Portugal. The Galaico (or "Castrejo") Warrior is an important example of Portuguese archaeology and represents, according several experts, the image of a deity and warrior of "castreja" civilisation that lived in this area of Portugal.
There were several castros (27) dating back to this early civilization, in addition to various Roman monuments. Boticas has its origins in the Roman civitas
Batocas, that was centre of mining, and its Termas de Carvalhelhos, thermal springs with (supposedly) rejuvenating miracle waters. Coins from the period of Emperor Constantino Ducas were also found in Covas de Barroso in 1880, in addition to vestiges in Poços das Freitas or the mines of Carvalhelhos, where Romans were known to have mined gold and silver.
Waves of barbarians and Moorish invaders crossed the lands of Boticas during the Middle Ages (many of the local toponomic names reflect this period, such as Côto dos Mouros, Penedo dos Mouros, Estrada dos Mouros, Cova da Moura, Moura Encantada and Mouril).
The Barroso surname, which figures prominently in the history of the region, has its origin in the Terras de Barroso, in the Trás-os-Montes. Its first use, came from lineage of the Guedeões (taken from a tower in the locality of Sipiões), whose progeny would adopt and permeate the lands of Botica. King Afonso II
tried to unite the lands of the Barrosos in 1273, but was unable.
It was Egas Gomes Barroso, son of Gomes Mendes Guedeão and his wife Chamôa Mendes de Sousa, both members of the nobility of Count Peter (son of King Denis of Portugal
), who were grandchildren of Gueda "The Older". Egas, a rich man during the reigns of Kings Sancho II
and Afonso III
, went in 1247 (in the reign of the latter) to Seville to support King Ferdinand III "The Saint"
in Castile. Egas' sons formed two distinct lineages: the Bastos, descendants of his second son, Gomes Viegas de Basto; and the Barroso, descendants of Gonçalo Viegas Barroso and Maria Fernandes de Lima. The Barrosos, were the predominant line, fixing themselves in Braga and Barcelos, becoming signeurs and administrators of the lands of the Trás-os-Montes.
Afonso IV
continued the process of uniting and defending the territory in 1331, constructing castles and walls around the castle of Montalegre. King Ferdinand
donated the lands to Rui Vasques Pereira in 1367, and later to Vasco Gonçalves Barroso. The lands of Boticas changed hands frequently thereafter, until John I
finally donated the lands to his friend Nuno Alvares Pereira
: the territory would remain in the hands of the Duke of Braganza
and their descendent.
With a resident population of over 6000 inhabitants in 2001, the municipality was only recently established. It was a creation during the Liberalist regimes of the 19th century, along with the great administrative reforms that developed after the second Liberal Revolution (1832). The municipality of Boticas was legally and definitely established by a 6 November 1836 decree, with parishes de-annexed from the neighbouring municipalities of Chaves and Montalegre, along with the extinction of the municipality of Dornelas and the ancient lands of the Barroso nobility. Other toponomic locations (such as the settlements of Alturas do Barroso and Covas do Barroso), administrative divisions and territory, which also extended to the municipality of Montalegre and the extinct municipality of Ruivães (now part of the municipality of Vieira do Minho), also corresponded to lands of the Barroso family. Boticas, already a central place, was, since the municipality was created, the municipal seat.
in the district of Vila Real
, surrounded by five other municipalities: to the north, the municipalities of Montalegre and Chaves, to the south by the Ribeira de Pena; to the east by Chaves and Vila Pouca de Aguiar; and to the west by the municipalities of Montalegre and Cabeceiras de Basto. Its area extends from the Tâmega River until the Serra das Alturas and Serras de Melcas, in addition to the Serra dos Marcos until the Serras do Leiranco and Serra de Pastoria. It is part of the group of municipalities referred to as the Alto Tâmega, integrated into the legendary "Region of the Barroso", that is constituted by a compact mass of highlands, accented topography, peaks and sierras separated by large depressions.
There are primarily two agricultural zones: the lowlands, formed by the interior watershed of the Terva and Beça Rivers (site of vineyards, orchards and cereal fields); and the highlands, constituted by pasturelands used for cultivation of olive trees, vineyards, potato and rye fields).
The municipality is divided into 16 local administrative units, civil parishes , that include:
, stuffed trout, smoked-meats and Barrosan veal.
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...
with a total area of 321.96 km² and population of approximately 6116 inhabitants (a density of 19 inhabitants per km²).
History
One of the symbols of Boticas is the Galaico Warrior, a monolith anthropomorphic carved (found in 17th century) in the castroCastro 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...
of Lesenho, at an altitude of 1075 metres, under fields of the parish of São Salvador de Viveiro and municipality of Boticas, considered the most important Lusitania
Lusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
n castro in Portugal. The Galaico (or "Castrejo") Warrior is an important example of Portuguese archaeology and represents, according several experts, the image of a deity and warrior of "castreja" civilisation that lived in this area of Portugal.
There were several castros (27) dating back to this early civilization, in addition to various Roman monuments. Boticas has its origins in the Roman civitas
Civitas
In the history of Rome, the Latin term civitas , according to Cicero in the time of the late Roman Republic, was the social body of the cives, or citizens, united by law . It is the law that binds them together, giving them responsibilities on the one hand and rights of citizenship on the other...
Batocas, that was centre of mining, and its Termas de Carvalhelhos, thermal springs with (supposedly) rejuvenating miracle waters. Coins from the period of Emperor Constantino Ducas were also found in Covas de Barroso in 1880, in addition to vestiges in Poços das Freitas or the mines of Carvalhelhos, where Romans were known to have mined gold and silver.
Waves of barbarians and Moorish invaders crossed the lands of Boticas during the Middle Ages (many of the local toponomic names reflect this period, such as Côto dos Mouros, Penedo dos Mouros, Estrada dos Mouros, Cova da Moura, Moura Encantada and Mouril).
The Barroso surname, which figures prominently in the history of the region, has its origin in the Terras de Barroso, in the Trás-os-Montes. Its first use, came from lineage of the Guedeões (taken from a tower in the locality of Sipiões), whose progeny would adopt and permeate the lands of Botica. King Afonso II
Afonso II of Portugal
Afonso II , or Affonso , Alfonso or Alphonso or Alphonsus , nicknamed "the Fat" , third king of Portugal, was born in Coimbra on 23 April 1185 and died on 25 March 1223 in the same city. He was the second but eldest surviving son of Sancho I of Portugal by his wife, Dulce, Infanta of Aragon...
tried to unite the lands of the Barrosos in 1273, but was unable.
It was Egas Gomes Barroso, son of Gomes Mendes Guedeão and his wife Chamôa Mendes de Sousa, both members of the nobility of Count Peter (son of King Denis of Portugal
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...
), who were grandchildren of Gueda "The Older". Egas, a rich man during the reigns of Kings Sancho II
Sancho II of Portugal
Sancho II , nicknamed "the Pious" and "the Caped" or "the Capuched" , , fourth King of Portugal, was the eldest son of Afonso II of Portugal by his wife, Infanta Urraca of Castile...
and 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...
, went in 1247 (in the reign of the latter) to Seville to support King Ferdinand III "The Saint"
Ferdinand III of Castile
Saint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
in Castile. Egas' sons formed two distinct lineages: the Bastos, descendants of his second son, Gomes Viegas de Basto; and the Barroso, descendants of Gonçalo Viegas Barroso and Maria Fernandes de Lima. The Barrosos, were the predominant line, fixing themselves in Braga and Barcelos, becoming signeurs and administrators of the lands of the Trás-os-Montes.
Afonso IV
Afonso IV of Portugal
Afonso IV , called the Brave , was the seventh king of Portugal and the Algarve from 1325 until his death. He was the only legitimate son of King Denis of Portugal by his wife Elizabeth of Aragon.-Biography:...
continued the process of uniting and defending the territory in 1331, constructing castles and walls around the castle of Montalegre. King Ferdinand
Ferdinand of Portugal
-Kings:* Ferdinand I of Portugal * Ferdinand II of Portugal , King Consort to Mary II of Portugal-Infantes:* Infante Fernando, Count of Flanders , son of Sancho I of Portugal...
donated the lands to Rui Vasques Pereira in 1367, and later to Vasco Gonçalves Barroso. The lands of Boticas changed hands frequently thereafter, until John I
John I of Portugal
John I KG , called the Good or of Happy Memory, more rarely and outside Portugal the Bastard, was the tenth King of Portugal and the Algarve and the first to use the title Lord of Ceuta...
finally donated the lands to his friend Nuno Alvares Pereira
Nuno Álvares Pereira
Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, O. Carm. , also spelled Nun'Álvares Pereira, was a Portuguese general of great success who had a decisive role in the 1383-1385 Crisis that assured Portugal's independence from Castile...
: the territory would remain in the hands of the Duke of Braganza
Duke of Braganza
The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
and their descendent.
With a resident population of over 6000 inhabitants in 2001, the municipality was only recently established. It was a creation during the Liberalist regimes of the 19th century, along with the great administrative reforms that developed after the second Liberal Revolution (1832). The municipality of Boticas was legally and definitely established by a 6 November 1836 decree, with parishes de-annexed from the neighbouring municipalities of Chaves and Montalegre, along with the extinction of the municipality of Dornelas and the ancient lands of the Barroso nobility. Other toponomic locations (such as the settlements of Alturas do Barroso and Covas do Barroso), administrative divisions and territory, which also extended to the municipality of Montalegre and the extinct municipality of Ruivães (now part of the municipality of Vieira do Minho), also corresponded to lands of the Barroso family. Boticas, already a central place, was, since the municipality was created, the municipal seat.
Physical geography
The municipality of Boticas is situated in the northwest part of the Alto Trás-os-MontesAlto Trás-os-Montes
Alto Trás-os-Montes often regered as Nordeste Transmontano is one of the largest Portuguese NUTS-level 3 subregion integrated in the Norte Region...
in the district of Vila Real
Vila Real (district)
The District of Vila Real is a district of northern Portugal. With an area of 4,239 km², the district is located west of the port city of Porto and north of the Douro River. Vila Real has always belonged to the historical province of Tras-os-Montes. Approximate population in the 2001...
, surrounded by five other municipalities: to the north, the municipalities of Montalegre and Chaves, to the south by the Ribeira de Pena; to the east by Chaves and Vila Pouca de Aguiar; and to the west by the municipalities of Montalegre and Cabeceiras de Basto. Its area extends from the Tâmega River until the Serra das Alturas and Serras de Melcas, in addition to the Serra dos Marcos until the Serras do Leiranco and Serra de Pastoria. It is part of the group of municipalities referred to as the Alto Tâmega, integrated into the legendary "Region of the Barroso", that is constituted by a compact mass of highlands, accented topography, peaks and sierras separated by large depressions.
There are primarily two agricultural zones: the lowlands, formed by the interior watershed of the Terva and Beça Rivers (site of vineyards, orchards and cereal fields); and the highlands, constituted by pasturelands used for cultivation of olive trees, vineyards, potato and rye fields).
Climate
The climate is cold, but dry, conditioned by numerous factors, such as the latitude, altitude, its proximity to the ocean and the predominant vegetation. Its winters are characterized by long cold periods, interspersed by snowfalls and ice-storms, with several weeks of below zero temperatures. The spring, by rule, is very cool, and susceptible to cold-streaks until May, when the vegetation blooms. Summer temperatures are over 35/40ºC.Human geography
The municipality is divided into 16 local administrative units, civil parishes , that include:
- Alturas do Barroso
- Ardãos
- BeçaBecaBeca was a group of artists formed in the 1970s in Wales. The group was formed by Welsh artist Paul Davies and brought a new national consciousness to late 20th century art in Wales....
- BobadelaBobadelaBobadela is a civil parish in the northern municipality of Botica, with a population of less than 487 inhabitants, occupying an area of 14.7 km² in the northeast that extends into the Serra do Leiranco.-History:...
- located in the north-east frontier with Montalegre (in the shadow of the Serra do Leiranco), this parish was a centre of alluvial gold extraction, but which today supports approximately 487 residents; - Boticas
- Cerdedo
- Codessoso
- Covas do BarrosoCovas do BarrosoCovas do Barroso is a civil parish in the municipality of Boticas, in the old district of Vila Real. Located in the northern subregion of Alto Trás-os-Montes, the parish of 348 inhabitants, occupies a territory of 29.58 km², comprising three villages: Covas do Barroso, Romaínho and...
- the small (348 residents in 2001) rural settlement of Covas only received electricity in the middle of the 20th century; - Curros
- Dornelas
- Fiães do Tâmega
- Granja
- Pinho
- São Salvador de Viveiro
- Sapiãos
- Vilas
Economy
Boticas is known for vinho dos mortos (wine of the dead). During the invasion of the French army between 1807 and 1809 the inhabitants buried their locally produced wine in the sandy soil rather than let it fall into the hands of the enemy. After Napoleon's army, led by General Andoche Junot, was gone, they dug up the bottles. Initially fearing that the wine had spoiled, the locals found the low temperatures and darkness seemed to concentrate the flavors and improve the taste. The practice of burying them for about two years it still routine and the wine is sold under the title of Vinho Regional Transmontano with the label of Armindo Sousa Pereira..Civic
- Calvário de Covas do Barroso - a sacred road composed of several pillory-like crosses in the parish of Covas do Barroso;
- Castro do Lesenho
- Castro de Carvalheiros
- Guerreiro Galaico - located in São Salvador de Viveiro, an erect anthropomorphic sculpture, encountered in the 18th century in the Castro of Lesenho, Campos, parish of São Salvador de Viveiro, and classified as an object of public interest (Decree 29/17 July 1990); the statue of a short-hair, moustache and bearded-warrior in short-sleeve uniform decorated with geometric motifs and concentric circles, carrying a round shield in his left hand. The Guerreiro Calaico or Castrejo, is one of the oldest archaeological vestiges of Lusitania, the four statutes are on permanent display in the National Archaeological and Etymological Museum in Lisbon , while replicas are on public display in front of the municipal hall of Boticas;
- Moínhos de Água - several mills located scattered throughout the municipality;
Religious
- Roman Church of Beça
- Roman Church of Covas de Barroso
- Gothic Church of Lampiões
Culture
The municipality is marked by the local gastronomy, which includes the local presuntoPresunto
Presunto is the name given to dry-cured ham from Portugal, similar to Spanish jamón or Italian prosciutto crudo.Among the wide variety of presuntos in Portugal, the most famous are presunto from Chaves, produced in the north of Portugal, and that from the Alentejo, in the south, made from local...
, stuffed trout, smoked-meats and Barrosan veal.