Once upon a time Freigil was a thriving parish. Its history stretches back centuries. It even predates the formation of the present-day municipality of Resende. Originally Freigil belonged to the Council and Court of Caldas de Aregos.
Freigil nestled in the westernmost part of Resende. It hugs the Cabrum River. The land rises sharply towards Penedo de Sao Joao and then Ramalhal. There it reaches an altitude of 679 meters. The land is fertile. It boasts peaceful landscapes. The parish is known for its beauty. Lush fields and elegant pine forests offer peace and pure air.
The name Freigil itself is a mystery. Medieval documents show various spellings. Fragivil Freiginil and Freyiyel all appear. In the Inquisitions of 1258 it was recorded as Fragil and Fragivil. One theory suggests it comes from an early settler’s name. Linguist Jose Pedro Machado proposed Frei Gil. However that lacks medieval documentation support. Another possibility is the Germanic name Fredegildus. This would translate to the Latin Fredigildi meaning the farm or estate of Fredegildus.
The old Freigil parish council cherished its heritage. It described its land’s beauty. The waters of its valleys sustain life. Its granite rocks are diverse in shape and size. The people toiled shaping these rocks. They built terraces supporting fields. They constructed sturdy and beautiful monuments and churches. They built bridges connecting villages. These bridges stand as testaments to their work lasting for centuries.
The parish council created a coat of arms. It reflects the values of its humble and hardworking people. The coat of arms is silver with a black rock highlighted in gold. Two green pine branches frame it. A single-arched black bridge is set between the branches. The bridge is silver. The base is wavy with three blue and silver stripes. A silver mural crown tops it. Three towers stand proud. A white border encircles it. The inscription FREIGIL is in black. This coat of arms was officially approved on July 12 2011 by the Portuguese Heraldic Commission. It represents the enduring legacy of Freigil. It embodies the pride and values of its people. It remains a symbol for generations to come.