“Madamemoiselle became Moazellus then Mozelos.” That local legend echoes as we stand before Cemitério de Mozelos. This cemetery is more than just a resting place. It is a reflection of Mozelos itself.
Let’s delve into the story of Mozelos. It is a Portuguese town within Santa Maria da Feira. Its history stretches back centuries.
The earliest reference to Mozelos is from 1009. The document mentions “Moazellus.” King Manuel I included Mozelos in the Foral da Feira in 1514.
The Order of Malta held lands in Mozelos. They had most of the parish of Santa Maria de Meladas. A terrible plague wiped out Meladas in the late 15th century. Today a chapel marks the site of the old parish church.
The French invasions of the early 19th century left their mark on Mozelos. On May 11 1809 French soldiers killed seven innocent people including Father João Sá Rocha. They hung their bodies from a pine tree near Picôto. This was a warning to the invaded. The tree became known as the “Pinheiro das Sete Cruzes” or Pine Tree of the Seven Crosses. A small shrine was built there in 1885.
The “Pinheiro das Sete Cruzes” is on the town’s coat of arms today. Mozelos became a town on June 30 1989.
Cemitério de Mozelos has grown over time. The Capela Mortuária opened on December 1 2001. This marked the cemetery’s third expansion.
Mozelos also has a Roman road. It may have connected to another road in Alto Minho. That road would have led to Galiza.
Mozelos is known for cork production. Américo Amorim founder of Amorim & Irmão was born here. He became Portugal’s wealthiest man.
Many people from Mozelos are buried here. They represent generations of history. Their stories form the town’s identity.
As you wander through Cemitério de Mozelos consider the lives lived. Reflect on the events that shaped this community. It’s a place of remembrance. It is a place to connect with the past. It is a reminder of the continuous flow of history.