Picture this Delães a village nestled in the Minho region. Delães boasts a rich history stretching far beyond its current form. Long before the arrival of agricultural communities Delães was inhabited. People subsisted on foraging plants and fruits. This land witnessed the rise and fall of the Castro culture. These early inhabitants lived in simple stone houses thatched with reeds or branches. Their lives revolved around pastoralism and rudimentary farming.
Delães’s history includes a fascinating tale of a lost city. High on a mountain remnants of fortifications suggest a once-thriving settlement. This city was destroyed during the medieval wars. We know of its existence thanks to Padre António Carvalho da Costa’s writings. He described Delães’s church in 1706. It was located in the elevated area of São Miguel do Monte. This area was part of a larger fortification. The church was later moved to its present location.
But Delães’s history is not only about lost cities. Delães is also tied to notable families. The Novaes family originates from D Pedro de Novaes the Old. He was a poor Galician nobleman. He sought fortune in Portugal but was captured by Moors. He secured his freedom with the help of emissaries. These emissaries were called alfaqueques. They rescued captives and brokered peace. D Pedro de Novaes became a successful wheat trader. He rose to become Alcaide-Mor of Vila Nova de Cerveira under King Sancho II. His descendants became noble families. Many live in Guimarães today.
In 1551 Delães then called Abes Sam Salvador was under the rule of the House of Braganza. It was part of Barcelos. The name Delães itself evolved over centuries. It started as Divino Salvador Dallém D Ave and changed through several iterations before settling on its current form. Delães’s name first appeared in written documents in the 13th century. But its history is much older. It is a place layered with stories. It is a testament to resilience adaptation and enduring community. Delães remains a place where history breathes in every stone. It whispers secrets of ages past. It is a treasure waiting to be uncovered.