Two rivers flow through Avidos e Lagoa. The Rio Pele meanders through the south. The Ribeira de Gerem flows north to south. It empties into the Rio Pele near Pateiras. This is Avidos e Lagoa in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
Avidos e Lagoa wasn’t always one place. It’s a union of two former parishes. This happened in 2013 as part of a national administrative reform. Before that Avidos and Lagoa were separate. They existed as distinct entities.
Antonio Gomes became the first president of the united Avidos e Lagoa. He had previously led Avidos since 2001. His term started with the merging of the parishes. This merger affected the boundaries. Only the shared area changed. Public buildings came under joint administration.
Avidos boasts a rich history. Documents mention it as early as the 13th century. It was then called Sancto Martino de Avidos. By 1258 it was Avidus. In 1371 it became Sancti Martini de Ouvidos. Avidos was once an abbey. It was part of the Julgado de Vermoim. This area belonged to the House of Braganza.
The people of Avidos are deeply religious. Four significant crosses stand in the area. There is a simple cross near the cemetery. Another is from the old cemetery. A modern cross stands by the main access to the church. The most impressive is at the Quinta de Penso. It was moved around 1975.
Several chapels add to Avidos e Lagoa’s religious character. The Quinta de Penso chapel has a Renaissance altar. It is covered in gold leaf. The Bom Jesus chapel dates back to 1681. The São João Baptista chapel has baroque sculpture. The São José chapel was built in 1792. Two wayside shrines mark a road intersection. A niche with Our Lady of Carmel is on one house. Another niche shows Saint Philomena. A Fatima shrine was added in 2004.
Avidos e Lagoa also has a history of education. The current EB1 school opened in 1900. Its first teacher taught for 34 years. A separate girls’ school was built in 1924. It is now closed. A kindergarten was established in the 1990s. A new building opened in 2003.
The town has other amenities. An auditorium named for Antonio Gomes opened in 2013. A leisure park opened in 2011. It has a stage picnic areas and playgrounds. There is also a sports field. The Baden-Powell garden honors the Scout movement’s founder.
Avidos e Lagoa’s strategic location is a highlight. It’s near Vila Nova de Famalicão and Santo Tirso. It is also easily reached via the A3 and A7 motorways. It connects to the rest of the country and Europe. Train stations are nearby. Several bus lines serve the area. It sits near commercial areas and industrial zones. The history of Avidos and Lagoa is woven into the landscape. It is evident in its many buildings and spaces. These places tell a tale of faith tradition and community. It’s a captivating story.