Riba de Ave. Does the name ring a bell? It should. This Portuguese town has a story that stretches back centuries. Let’s step back in time together.
Riba de Ave’s history is deeply rooted in its geography. Its name tells a story. “Ave” meant watercourse in old Portuguese. “Riba” came from the Latin “Ripa” meaning bank. So Riba de Ave means bank of the Ave river. The area’s story began long, long ago.
According to José Correia do Souto, Riba de Ave is as old as Portugal itself. Yet for much of its existence Riba de Ave remained a small village hidden in the Ave Valley. In the ninth century Riba de Ave was part of a region called “Ripa Ave”. The first mention of Riba de Ave as a parish appeared in 1220. It was called “Sancto Petro de Inter Ambas as Aves”. Another reference pops up in 1258. It mentions its church “eclesi Sancti Petri Ripe Ave”. Back then Riba de Ave belonged to the Land of Vermoim.
In 1410 this land came under the control of the eighth Count of Barcelos. He was the bastard son of King D. João I. Later in 1550 land disputes arose. The issue was between the local church and parishes of nearby towns.
Interestingly Riba de Ave is unique. It is the only parish in the region. It still holds its original medieval name. In 1896 a textile industry began here. Narciso Ferreira replaced his manual looms. He embraced modern fabric manufacturing. But even before this Riba de Ave had textile traditions. There was hand weaving of linen. People crafted wool items like carpets and blankets. This lured Narciso Ferreira to Riba de Ave. Also a wool spinning mill existed near the bridge.
Narciso Ferreira is a key figure in Riba de Ave’s story. Born in 1862 he started in textiles at nineteen. He arrived in Riba de Ave in 1887. Here he purchased land by the Ave River. Later he partnered with others forming a company. It became the Sampaio Ferreira factory. It was completed in 1896 boasting two hundred looms.
Riba de Ave was among Portugal’s first parishes with electricity. This boosted its textile industry. The Ferreiras even built a small dam to harness more power. The factory thrived employing many locals for years. Narciso Ferreira’s children continued his work. They used the factory’s profits to develop Riba de Ave. They funded a hospital and primary schools. They supported the fire station and municipal market. Plus they helped create secondary schools.
The current parish church in Riba de Ave was inaugurated in 1950. Cardinals and bishops attended. It is a Latin cross temple with a single nave. Narciso Ferreira and his wife are buried in a crypt here. Neo-Gothic doors mark the exterior. Stained glass illuminates the interior.
Before this church there was another. It was moved to the Hospital. That earlier church lacked its original bell tower. It became the chapel of the Riba de Ave Hospital. This construction mirrored many others built in northern Portugal.
Before that even earlier church stood. It dated back to the 13th or 14th century. No trace remains of that tiny temple. Its stones were used to build the next one.
Riba de Ave. A place where water and industry shaped its identity. Its story remains etched in its buildings. Its people shaped it.