“Shall we build a monument to our glorious past?” That’s what Vila Real’s Governor asked. He wanted to mark the Eight Centenary of Independence. It was also to mark the Third of Restoration. This is the story of the Padrão Comemorativo dos Centenários da Pátria.
In 1940 Portugal celebrated its history. The Estado Novo regime was at its peak. They organized a grand exhibition. It was called the Exhibition of the Portuguese World. It took place in Lisbon. Celebrations spread across the country. The Padrão Comemorativo dos Centenários da Pátria was part of this.
The governor of Vila Real wanted to involve his region. He commissioned a project. It was for the Padrão Comemorativo dos Centenários da Pátria. It was to be placed on Alto da Freita. This is the highest point of the Serra do Marão. It stands at 1415 meters.
He gathered support. Small and large donations poured in. He got help from all the Municipal Councils. The District and the Provincial Council joined in too. He met with representatives from the Marão parishes. He asked priests to appeal for contributions. Every little bit would help. Money, labor and carts were welcome.
He asked for special support. This was from the mining companies in the Serra. They mined tungsten and tin. He reminded them that experienced men were needed. They needed skills in handling explosives. This was for extracting stone.
He contacted top sawyers and carpenters. They were known as “Biscainhos da Galiza”. They were working on a modern steel plant. It was being built in the Vale da Campeã. The collective proposal excited everyone. Poor farmers and laborers saw an opportunity. They could earn extra money.
Old Estraminé was happy. He was a sardine seller. He was hired to supply salted sardines to the stonemasons. The Teixeira confectioners were pleased. They received orders for their tasty sweets. The sweets would reach Pico da Freita. Chestnut baskets carried them on mules.
The blacksmith Barulho was delighted. He rubbed his hands with joy. Orders for coal increased. He could show off his tempering skills. He made picks and tools for stone work.
Abade Lemos was happy and excited. He would have another temple. He could celebrate mass to Our Lady of the Serra. He hoped for rain. He dreamed of the inauguration ceremony. He planned a choir. He envisioned altar cloths made by weavers.
The project advanced quickly during the summer. At the laying of the First Stone the Governor spoke. The Padrão Comemorativo dos Centenários da Pátria would rise. It would dominate mountains and valleys. It would stand as a symbol of their time. It would symbolize eight centuries of greatness. Baltazar de Castro designed it. Rogério de Azevedo brought it to life. It was an altar and landmark for the people. It combined the medieval past with the modern.
Work progressed. Measurements were taken. Foundations were dug. The first walls went up. But winter arrived quickly. Construction had to stop. The war in Europe worsened. It overshadowed everything.
The miners had to work day and night. They supplied both sides of the war. The price of tungsten and tin soared. Miners and smugglers rejoiced. Fortunes were made and lost quickly. Some even made cigarettes. They used banknotes as rolling paper.
World War II lasted until 1945. In Portugal the commemorations faded. Priorities shifted to public works. The Padrão do Centenário was left unfinished.
Today on Alto da Freita stand wind turbines. They generate electricity. There is also a surveillance post. It has a telescope with stunning views. It is a sign of the times. The Padrão Comemorativo dos Centenários da Pátria remains a memory.