Covas do Barroso
| Covas do Barroso | ||
| Civil Parish (Freguesia) | ||
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| Official name: Freguesia das Covas do Barroso | ||
| Country |  Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Norte | |
| Subregion | Alto Trás-os-Montes | |
| District | Vila Real | |
| Municipality | Boticas | |
| Localities | Covas do Barroso, Romaínho, Muro | |
| Center | Covas do Barroso | |
| - elevation | 501 m (1,644 ft) | |
| - coordinates | 41°37′5″N 7°47′32″W / 41.61806°N 7.79222°W | |
| Length | 8.91 km (6 mi), Northwest-Southeast | |
| Width | 5.67 km (4 mi), Southwest-Northeast | |
| Area | 29.58 km2 (11 sq mi) | |
| Population | 348 (2001) | |
| Density | 11.76 / km2 (30 / sq mi) | |
| LAU | Freguesia/Junta Freguesia | |
| President Junta | Olímpio Martins Gomes | |
| President Assembleia | Fernando Martins Esteves | |
| Timezone | WET (UTC0) | |
| - summer (DST) | WEST (UTC+1) | |
| ISO 3166-2 code | PT- | |
| Postal Zone | 5460-381 Covas do Barroso | |
| Area Code & Prefix | (+351) 276 XXX XXX | |
| Patron Saint | Santa Maria | |
| Parish Address | 5460-381 Covas do Barroso | |
| Website: http://cbarroso.jfreguesia.com | ||
| Statistics from INE (2001); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010) | ||
Covas do Barroso is a civil parish (Portuguese: freguesia) in northern Portugal, in the municipality of Boticas, in the old district of Vila Real. Located in the subregion of Alto Trás-os-Montes, the parish of 348 inhabitants, occupies a territory of 29.58 square kilometres (11 sq mi), comprising three villages: Covas do Barroso, Romaínho and Muro.
History
During the Middle Ages, Covas do Barroso consisted of five settlements: Couto de Dornelas, São Salvador de Viveiro, Canedo, Cabanelas and São Martinho). But, owing to deaths caused by the plague, the latter two settlements (Cabanelas and São Martinho) were extinguished.[1]
The place's toponymy originated from its geographic location: the place is surrounded by mountain hilltops, and once seen from Alto do Castro, appears as ditch (Portuguese: cova).[1]
The settlement of this territory corresponds with the ancient castros discovered in this area.[1] In many of these castros discoveries of archaeological artefacts have been common, including Byzantine coins, from the era of Emperor Ducas.[1]
Apart from archaeological proofs, the documented references refer to the existence of Covas do Barroso after the 12th century.[1] Covas do Barroso was part of the municipality of Montalegre, until 6 November 1836, when the neighbouring municipality of Boticas was established.[1] During this creation, Covas do Barroso passed into the administration of the latter, while judicially it was integrated into the Comarca of Chaves (in 1839), Montalegre (in 1878), and finally integrated into the Julgado de Eiró (in 1878). The attempted transfer of Covas do Barroso to municipality of Ribeira de Pena created conflict within its citizenry.[1]
It was not until 1839 that its inhabitants received its first primary school (supported by a school headmaster who received a stipend of 20,000 réis annually).[1]
Similarly, full electric light and electricity only arrived in 1966, owing to the installation of a generator in Aguieira.[1]
Geography
Covas do Barroso situated in the river-valleys of the Serra de Dornela, 17 kilometres from the municipal seat of Boticas, it consists of the localities of Covas do Barroso, Romainho and Muro. It is confronted by the parishes of Couto de Dornelas, São Salvador de Viveiro and Canedo. [1]
References
- Notes