Gazing out from this hillside village, imagine life in Terroso centuries ago. This suburban area in Póvoa de Varzim holds secrets from ancient times. Terroso was once an independent parish. It joined with Aver-o-Mar and Amorim in 2013. Now it is part of the União das Freguesias de Aver-o-Mar, Amorim e Terroso.
The name Terroso comes from Latin. It means “full of soil”. This name connects it to the Cividade Hill. The Cividade de Terroso is an ancient city. People settled here around 900 to 800 BC.
But the story of Terroso goes back even further. People have lived here since prehistoric times. Look for the tumuli, ancient burial mounds, in Leira da Anta. Also, find them in Cortinha da Fonte da Mama. The Mamoa de Sejães still stands unbroken. It has stood for thousands of years.
The first written record of Terroso is from 953. It mentions “subtus montis Terroso.” This refers to its prominent hill. Imagine a castle tower in the Hamlet of Paço. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The parish church was built in the early 16th century. King Manuel I ordered its construction. Over time, it has changed. A second tower was added. It included a small carillon. Inside, there is a special statue. It is a 16th-century Virgin statue. It has a legendary story. It is likely an Italian work.
A chapel dedicated to Saint Savior stands in São Salvador. This hamlet took its name from the chapel. Inside is a proto-baroque altar. The altar shows the Miracle of the Battle of Ourique.
Nearby, discover a small structure from the 17th century. It marks the start of an aqueduct. Four Tuscan columns hold up a tiled roof. A colorful statue of St. Anthony is inside. The Hamlet of Santo António got its name from a chapel. This large baroque chapel honors St. Anthony. Inside are gilded, carved wood altars of high quality.
In medieval times, Terroso was part of Varzim. The hill marked a border of the fiefdom. People referred to it as “subtus mons civitas Terroso.” Later, Terroso was governed by Barcelos. In 1836, it became part of Póvoa de Varzim.
Terroso is about 5 km north of Póvoa de Varzim’s center. It shares borders with Navais and Estela to the north. Laundos and Vila do Conde are to the east. Amorim is to the west. Beiriz is to the south.
Most of Terroso is crowned by Cividade Hill. It stretches to the São Lourenço plain. Cividade Hill was known for its clean water. An aqueduct was built in the 17th century. It ran to the Monastery of Santa Clara in Vila do Conde.
Today, Terroso is made up of 15 hamlets. These include São Lourenço and Carregal. You will also find Passô and Santo António. Paço, Póvoas, and São Pedro are here. Also, there are São Salvador and Paranho. Vilar, Boavista and Sejães are other hamlets. Finally, Certainha, Ordem, and Pé do Monte complete the area.
From this vantage point, you can appreciate the rich history of Terroso. Its ancient roots and enduring landmarks tell a compelling story of Portugal’s past.