Rio de Galinhas

“A river of chickens?” you might ask, brow furrowed in confusion. Yes, we’re standing before Rio de Galinhas, which translates to “River of Chickens.” Rio de Galinhas isn’t a rushing river teeming with poultry. It’s a former parish in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal. This seemingly odd name has a history rooted in the clandestine slave trade. The story goes that during the 19th century, when slave trading was restricted, ships would dock here secretly. To avoid detection, they used the code word “chickens” to refer to the enslaved people they carried. So, Rio de Galinhas, the “River of Chickens,” became a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history. Before it earned this unusual moniker, Rio de Galinhas was already a place of significance. Documents dating back to the 9th century mention one of the two streams that run through it. The abundance of fowl around these streams likely led to the river’s original name. The name later extended to the village and eventually the parish itself. Rio de Galinhas held a strategic location. The area is relatively flat compared to the surrounding region. This made it a natural crossing point between Canaveses and the lands of Baião. This included Tabuado and Soalhães. Rio de Galinhas belonged to a succession of noble families and religious institutions. The Gascos lineage held ownership in the 11th century. In 1103, D. Unisco Viegas donated some of his properties in Rio de Galinhas and Fornos to the Monastery of Paço de Sousa. Royal grants and privileges further shaped its destiny. The construction of the Douro railway line in the 19th century transformed Rio de Galinhas. The station that served Marco de Canaveses was built here. A new road connected the city center to the station. A new bridge spanned the river, improving links to neighboring areas. From here, the steam locomotives chugged towards Régua. This improved accessibility spurred industrial development in Rio de Galinhas. Two wheat mills rose to prominence. The “Fábrica Electro-Moagem do Marco, Lda.” and the “Fábrica de Moagem do Marco” were state-of-the-art facilities, each capable of grinding two thousand kilos of wheat per hour. Rio de Galinhas boasted modest religious buildings, like the Igreja Matriz dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. However, it was the manor houses that truly stood out. The Casa do Outeiro, also known as the Casa dos Arcos, was built in the 17th century. Its history intertwines with the social rise of local families. The Casa do Souto de Cima, though smaller, also held a significant past linked to the local nobility. In 2013, Rio de Galinhas ceased to be an independent parish. It merged with Freixo, São Nicolau, Tuias, and Fornos to form the new parish of Marco. Though its administrative status changed, Rio de Galinhas retains its unique story. A story whispered on the wind, a story of chickens that weren’t chickens at all.