Carvalhosa

The air hums with the echoes of history in Carvalhosa. It is this very air, this very soil, which was occupied by people for many centuries, even before romanization. A small town in the municipality of Paços de Ferreira, Carvalhosa has a rich history. You can still sense its connection to the past as you walk through the streets, passing the Church of São Tiago, the local church. Its two naves, with their wooden vaulted ceilings and gothic image of St. James the Greater, tell silent stories of faith and devotion which are still alive today. While the modern day Carvalhosa is known for its robust industrial sector, its past is more agrarian. Throughout the centuries, its hardworking people were devoted to the crops that sprouted from its fertile soil. The legacy of Carvalhosa’s artisanal past can still be witnessed in the rare traces of the handmade straw cloaks, which used to be sold across the country. As you look at the landscape around you, imagine a time when straw cloaks were a common sight and artisans plied their craft, weaving tradition into every stitch. Today, Carvalhosa is a flourishing town, its inhabitants celebrating the blessings of past, present and future, a testament to its enduring spirit, and just as you can sense the legacy of its history, so can you feel the promise of a bright future.