Here stands the bust of a man named João Coelho da Motta Prego. Who was he? What did he do?
João da Motta Prego was an agricultural engineer. He authored several fictional books for children. These books covered agricultural life, animal husbandry and related subjects.
Titles include “O pomar do Adrião”, “A leitaria da Rosalina” and “A lagoa de Donim: piscicultura”. Also “A quinta do diabo: avicultura”, “O padre Roque: apicultura”, “A horta do Tomé” and “Os netos do Nicolau: sericultura”.
He was from an old family of Guimarães. One of his ancestors founded the Academia Vimaranense in the 18th century. João da Motta Prego married Virgínia de Castro e Almeida. Sources say they had the first divorce in Portugal.
José M. M. Santos knew one of João da Motta Prego’s sons. This was D. Luis de Castro e Almeida. D. Luis had no living siblings or descendants at the time. Santos and D. Luis raised ducklings in an incubator. They released them into the castle moat where D. Luis lived. D. Luis was very interested in nature.
Santos still reads João da Motta Prego’s books. He finds them very funny. He considers them naive because of the time they were written. But still a great legacy.
The bust commemorates a man of science and letters. He left his mark on Portuguese agriculture. He also left it on children’s literature. His stories continue to be read and enjoyed today.
So as you pass by, remember João da Motta Prego. Think of his contributions to agriculture. Think of his charming books for children. He helped to educate young minds about the natural world. His legacy lives on through his work and this memorial.