Fafe


Fafe, officially the City of Fafe, is a city and municipality in the northern Portuguese district of Braga. The population in 2021 was 48,502, in an area of approximately. The city itself had a population of 15,703 in 2011. The present mayor is Antero Barbosa, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is May 16.

History

In the 10th century King Ordoño III of León donated the Vila de Moraria and Monte Longo to the monastery of Guimarães, founded by the Countess Mumadona.
The territory was effect the Diocese of Braga in the 12th century, and was one of the largest of the seven dioceses, with approximately 950 to 1000 parishes divided into 38 group. During the 1220 Inquirições, the territory of Monte Longo was first identified. This location would have an effect; in 1258, the municipality was designated as the lands and julgado of Monte Longo.
By 1320, Fafe was part of the Diocese of Braga and the Terra de Entre Ave e Vizela, also known as the Terra de Montelongo, with 15 parishes, among which Santa Ovaia Antiga.
On 15 November 1514, King D. Manuel I conceded the first foral to the town of Fafe. The 1527 Numeramento de D. João III, the parish of Samta Ovaya Antigua had only 64 neighbours.
It was only in 1647 that the first reference to the toponymy Fafe, and shortly thereafter the parish adopted the name Santa Eulália de Fafe.
In 1706, the donatário of the town of Fafe and municipality of Montelongo was the Count of Vimieiro. By mid-century, though, in 1758, the Memórias Paroquiais described that the donation was attributed to the Marquis of Valença, D. Miguel de Portugal e Castro.
Between 1907 and 1986 Fafe was served by the narrow-gauge trains of the Guimarães line. The railway is now closed between Guimarães and Fafe.

Geography

The municipality is situated in a valley.
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 25 civil parishes:
  • Aboim, Felgueiras, Gontim e Pedraído
  • Agrela e Serafão
  • Antime e Silvares
  • Ardegão, Arnozela e Seidões
  • Armil
  • Cepães e Fareja
  • Fafe
  • Fornelos
  • Freitas e Vila Cova
  • Golães
  • Medelo
  • Monte e Queimadela
  • Moreira do Rei e Várzea Cova
  • Passos
  • Quinchães
  • Regadas
  • Revelhe
  • Ribeiros
  • Santa Cristina de Arões
  • São Gens
  • São Martinho de Silvares
  • São Romão de Arões
  • Travassós
  • Vinhós
Estorãos

Architecture

Civic

Every year, on May 16th and since the end of the XVIII century, the city celebrates their traditional "Feiras Francas" holding a livestock contest and the horse race at a halt. Nowadays, a more rich and varied program combines reminiscences of the past with contemporary times, with folkloric and popular-rooted musical events, DJs and modern music groups, equestrian schools and car racing events.

Notable people