Perhaps you’ve wondered how Santa Cruz do Bispo got its unusual name? Let’s uncover the history of this fascinating place. Santa Cruz do Bispo, a place with a story that twists back through time, invites us to explore its origins.
Santa Cruz do Bispo was once part of the ancient Julgado da Maia. It was known as Santa Cruz de Riba Leça and later Santa Cruz da Maia. The current name dates back to 1623. It came from its belonging to the Cabido of the Diocese of Porto. Bishop D. Rodrigo Pinheiro established a resting estate here in 1552. It sat near the banks of the River Leça.
Monks of Santo Agostinho inhabited this area early on. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the bishops of Porto built a resting estate. Some chapels were built. Capela de São Brás is still in good condition today. The main church from the 13th century was rebuilt in the 18th century.
Consider the Ponte do Carro. It connects Guifões to Santa Cruz do Bispo. It sits at the narrowest point of the River Leça. This bridge is contemporary to the events we’ve discussed. It is considered early Romanesque. Its arch dominates the landscape. It was on one of the paths for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims were abundant. Testaments from the time show they ceded property. This provided monasteries with resources. They could shelter pilgrims. They could care for orphans if the pilgrims died on their journey. Braga was the central Portuguese point for pilgrims. It was a religious center.
The Igreja do Apóstolo received significant income. It came from votes to S. Tiago. Every farmer paid a measure of bread and wine. This was for each pair of oxen they used to plow. Extending the votes to remote properties led to disputes. Farmers in Braga and Porto protested. The Julgado da Maia refused the new payment. So did Gaia and Vila da Feira. This led to a royal and religious controversy that lasted for years.
The Ponte do Carro was important in the old town. It linked Santa Cruz to the road to the Convento de Moreira. This was a stop on the Estrada de Santiago. Guifões was an area of farmers. They were likely dedicated to fulfilling their Santiago vows. They did this through pilgrimages to the Apostle’s body.
Unlike the masonry bridge said to be Moorish, Ponte do Carro survived. It is considered a national monument. It shares stylistic similarities with other peninsular bridges. Geographically, Santa Cruz do Bispo borders Perafita to the north. It borders Guifões to the south. To the east are Custóias and Moreira da Maia. Leça da Palmeira is to the west. So, as you stand here, remember the layers of history. Think of bishops, monks, and pilgrims who shaped Santa Cruz do Bispo.