Imagine a place where four become one. That place is Viatodos, Grimancelos, Minhotães e Monte de Fralães. It is officially known as União das Freguesias de Viatodos, Grimancelos, Minhotães e Monte de Fralães. This union is a civil parish in Barcelos.
In 2013, a national administrative reform brought these four together. Viatodos, Grimancelos, Minhotães, and Monte de Fralães joined forces. Viatodos became the headquarters of this new parish.
Grimancelos once stood alone as a parish. It covered 3.03 square kilometers. In 2011, 791 people called it home. That’s a population density of 261.1 people per square kilometer.
Viatodos also had its own distinct history. It spanned 4.21 square kilometers. In 2011, it boasted a population of 3,840. The population density was 437.1 inhabitants per square kilometer. Santa Maria is Viatodos’s patron saint. The name Viatodos comes from “Bem-a-todos”. It meant “Good to all.”
Viatodos has long been a crossroads. Roads from Famalicão to Barcelos and Braga to Vila do Conde intersect here. Agriculture used to be vital. Today, many residents work in local industries or commute to Famalicão or Braga. Viatodos borders several other parishes. These are Nine, Louro, Minhotães, Grimancelos, Monte de Fralães, and Silveiros.
The priest João de Sousa Afonso e Abreu lived in Viatodos. He was imprisoned for supporting the constitution in 1829. He was released from prison in Porto in 1831.
After the liberal victory of 1834, he became a hero. He annexed the neighboring parish of Monte de Fralães. But in 1837, enemies attacked him. They beat him with sand-filled bags. He died shortly after.
A robbery occurred in Viatodos on April 18, 1881. Thieves broke into the main church. They stole money and sacred objects. The loot was worth 200$000 réis.
Archaeological finds were made in Fonte Velha. The “Viatodos axes” are bronze pieces. They date back to the eighth century BC.
The parish of Viatodos, Grimancelos, Minhotães e Monte de Fralães covers 12.40 square kilometers. In 2021, 3,744 people lived here. The population density is 301.9 inhabitants per square kilometer.