Argivai

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Argivai
Coat of arms of Argivai
Parish coat of arms
Municipality Póvoa de Varzim
Area 2.32 km²
Population
 - Total 2,187 (2001)
 - Density 942.7/km²
Website: none
Arcos street in Argivai parish.
Arcos street in Argivai parish.
The Santa Clara Aqueduct crosses the entire parish.
The Santa Clara Aqueduct crosses the entire parish.

Argivai is a Portuguese parish located in the city of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 2,187 inhabitants and a total area of 2.32 Km².

The name of the parish is of Germanic origin, from Argivadi, despite that, it is popularly known as Anjo (angel).

Contents

[edit] History

The parish of Argivai is, like many parishes of Póvoa de Varzim, very ancient and its founding date is not known, we just know it already existed in the 11th century. In its territory, a pre-Roman Castro settlement is known by the name of Castro de Argivai.

In the past it belonged to Barcelos. Póvoa de Varzim itself, then Varazim, was a place of this parish, until king Denis of Portugal gave a town charter to the town of Póvoa de Varzim. With the urban enlargement of Póvoa de Varzim and the town’s growth in territory (disputing it with Barcelos), made Argivai to be a very small parish. its remaining territory was finally incorporated in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim in 1836 and, officially, integrated in the city in January 2006.

[edit] Geography

The parish of Argivai is today very small and enclosed between the parish of Póvoa de Varzim and the one of Vila do Conde. It is crossed by the Santa Clara Aqueduct, giving it a very pleasing outlook. The urban and transportation development destroyed much of its beautiful natural areas, including the traditional picnic areas that the Poveiros loved to go on Easter Monday, which lead the population to choose other locations on Anjo festival. A festival that even holds the name of the place.

[edit] Places

The parish is divided in twelve places: Aguieira, Bom Sucesso, Calves, Casal do Monte, Cassapos, Gandra, Igreja, Fiéis de Deus, Oliveira, Padrão, Pedreira, and Quintela.

[edit] City districts

The parish of Argivai contains two of the eleven city districts: