How about a journey back to 1713? That was when the current Igreja Matriz de Vila Cova da Lixa was built. However, pieces of the old church were used in its construction.
The previous church likely dated back to 1148. It was probably built in the Romanesque style. Vila Cova da Lixa sits in northern Portugal. It is nestled between the Douro and Minho regions.
The Igreja Matriz de Vila Cova da Lixa is a cultural landmark. Vila Cova da Lixa has always been an important location. It was the site of a “Julgado” or court. Its origins go back before Portugal was even a nation. There is evidence of Roman influence here. The first settlement was likely a castro or fort on Monte Ladário.
A road passed through here before the Romans arrived. It went from Caladuno to Vila Fria then Pombeiro and Padroso. It continued through Felgueiras, Várzea, and Caramos near the monastery. The road then went through Espiunca to Lixa and down to Amarante. Another road went to Vizela near Padroso. These roads connected the area’s main settlements. They were important for communication. After Christianity arrived a small church was built. A few monks lived there.
In 1220 records mention several properties in the parish. They belonged to Igreja de Vila Cova. Some belonged to the Monastery of Caramos. Others belonged to the Monastery of S. Pedro de Ferreira and the Igreja de Santa Maria de Airães.
In 1371 two people claimed rights to the parish church’s income. This led to a document clarifying who had patronage rights. The Gundufes family gave their rights to Lourenço Aires. He was a cleric and abbot of Santa Ouaia de Oliveira in Barcelos. He and his successors gained these rights.
Besides the Igreja Matriz de Vila Cova da Lixa, there are other religious sites. The Chapel of S. Roque was founded in 1599. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Angústias was founded in 1656. It is located on the Quinta da Teixeira estate. Vila Cova da Lixa also has important figures. Zé do Telhado, Dr. Leonardo Coimbra, and Sebastião Babo were from here.
Agriculture is important here because of the fertile land. The locals mainly produce wine. Other industries include textiles, footwear, woodworking, and metalworking. Beekeeping is also common in the region.
The Igreja Matriz de Vila Cova da Lixa is dedicated to the Divino Salvador. After 1238 it became an important abbey. It had authority over three parishes and two chapels. Vila Cova da Lixa was named a town on April 18, 1933. It became a city on June 21, 1995. There is a local saying: “Santo do Mosteiro” near the current parish church. This refers to the site of the Igreja Matriz de Vila Cova da Lixa.
Vila Cova da Lixa holds a weekly fair every Tuesday. There are also annual fairs. The Feira das Uvas is on the first Monday of September. The Feira das Oitavas is on the second Monday after Easter. A major religious festival takes place on the first Sunday of September. It is in honor of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias.