Is it possible this humble village was once at the center of a power struggle? Welcome to Sanfins de Ferreira. Its story goes back centuries.
Sanfins de Ferreira history sprouts from ancient settlements. There were Celtic tribes here. Romans too left their mark. Suevians and Visigoths also called this place home. Evidence exists in ancient coins. Look for Roman altars and Suevian tombs.
Even before Portugal was a nation Sanfins de Ferreira was important. Around 976 monks of Saint Paul lived here. They resided in the Monastery of Santa Maria de Cacães. It was near the Trindade. This area sits close to São Salvador de Meixomil. The bishop São Cibrão was an important figure here. Today São Cibrão is a place name in Sanfins de Ferreira. Ruins remain of its chapel. Mumadona donated land here in the 10th century.
In medieval times the cemetery and chapel of São Romão stood high. They were on a hill in Citânia. Recently dishes were found in Bouça da Freiria. Documents show a monastery existed here too. Vila Colina and Vila Cova were mentioned in the Book of Mumadona around 1059.
As blacksmiths moved from Vila Colina to Vila Cova the latter grew. Vila Cova became the center. People vitalized their Monastery Francisquo Saam Fyns de Ferreira. They boosted their Termo de Ferreira. They cherished their Honra de Ferreira and Igreja de Sam Fins de Ferreira.
After Braga’s diocese was restored in 1070 Ferreira belonged to it. Around 1111 the knight Soeiro Viegas controlled Couto de Fins de Ferreira. He founded a monastery there. Later in 1113 the Diocese of Porto was restored. It began fighting over the lands.
Tension grew between the Dioceses of Braga and Porto. It also grew between lords and the King. This dynamic shaped the importance of Ferreira. Its honors churches couto monasteries and commendations were important. The Carvalhosa River divided the dioceses. It originated near the Ferreira River in Santiago de Lustosa.
The name of Igreja de Sanfins appears in royal inquiries from 1220. It belonged to Braga. It was in the Termo de Ferreira. Its patron saint was São Félix. The church was quite rich. It owned properties and land.
The Termo de Ferreira had its center in Honra da Quinta de Ferreira. It was like a modern municipality. In 1258 Sanfins de Ferreira maintained its possessions. Santa Maria de Lamoso was attached to Igreja de Sanfins de Ferreira. Each land had its patron saint. Eiriz had São João. Carvalhosa had São Tiago. Lamoso had Santa Maria. Figueiró had São Tiago. Codessos had São João and Ferreira had São Fins.
The Termo de Ferreira integrated into the Termo de Aguiar. São Fins became known as “de Ferreira”. The Igreja de Sancti Felicis Ferrarie became known.
The Ferreira name is important. Blacksmiths lived in Citânia. They moved to lands near fields and springs. In the old place of Ferreira water still flows from springs.
The Ferreira family adopted the land’s name. They were lords of Igreja de São Fins de Ferreira. Their coat of arms remains on houses today.
In the 14th century São Fins de Ferreira belonged to Nuno Álvares Pereira. Later it passed to his nephew. In the early 1500s King Manuel turned the church into Igreja e Comenda de Samfynz de Ferreira. It belonged to the Order of Christ. D. Miguel da Silva was its first leader.
Forais confirmed Sanfins de Ferreira’s importance. They highlighted its autonomy.
Around the mid-16th century the church had major renovations. Notable frescoes were added. Some fragments still exist today.
In 1617 an important change occurred. A visitor ordered a statue of São Pedro for the altar. This led to the image of São Pedro ad Vincula. It is now in the social center of Sanfins de Ferreira.
Igreja e Comenda de São Pedro de Fins de Ferreira belonged to important figures. The first was a Cardinal. The last was the Count of Almada.
In 1865 Igreja de São Pedro Fins de Ferreira was rebuilt. In 1882 the Diocese of Porto regained its old borders. São Pedro Fins de Ferreira stopped belonging to Braga.
Sanfins de Ferreira a village with a rich past. Its history echoes through the centuries.