Twelve Calvaries stand guard. Two meters tall they surround the Igreja Matriz de Eiriz. This sixteenth-century church of simple stone boasts a bell tower. It’s a humble structure yet speaks volumes. Its longitudinal plan reveals a single nave. A main chapel and lateral chapel await within. There’s a sacristy. A hallway leads to stairs climbing to the choir.
The Igreja Matriz de Eiriz isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to history. Its origins are deeply rooted in the region. Eiriz itself a name echoing noble warriors. Its Germanic roots suggest a lineage tracing back to Erigo or Eurico. A military leader or descendant from a bygone era.
This land was fertile. It drew Germanic peoples. They settled here. They laid the foundations for medieval Portugal. Eiriz is mentioned in 976. A testament revealed a woman’s legacy. Part of her agricultural income went to a hermit at the Santa Cruz de Cacães church.
The Casa do Paço stands near the Igreja Matriz de Eiriz. It’s linked to the Ferreira family. Their influence stretched far. They even impacted the naming of Paços de Ferreira. Their family crest is found on this very Casa do Paço. It’s also present at the Casa da Igreja in nearby Sanfins de Ferreira.
The Ferreira family’s roots are Spanish. They settled in Eiriz. They built a manor house. D. Fernando Álvares Ferreira lived here. He served King Sancho I. He became a rich nobleman. He received many properties in this region.
In 1220 Eiriz was already a parish. Documents detail several places within its territory. Eiriz Cabo Quintela Real Vila Verde and more. In 1258 the parish consisted of seven areas. These were agricultural zones. Quintela Real Vila Verde Vilar Bustelo and Quinta no Paço. This reveals the area’s importance and its connection to the land.
Later Eiriz became part of the Honra de Carvalhosa. A Honra was a land grant. It gave a nobleman immunity from taxes and royal officials. This reflects Eiriz’s importance in the medieval period and the power held by its nobles.
From 1385 Eiriz became part of the Porto municipality. The Igreja Matriz de Eiriz continued its important role. It served the religious needs of the community. It witnessed history unfolding around it. The church’s very stones hold centuries of stories.
The Igreja Matriz de Eiriz is more than a place of worship. It is a living link to Portugal’s past. It’s a silent observer of centuries. It stands as a symbol of resilience. It continues its sacred duty to this day. Its existence is a testament to the enduring spirit of Eiriz.