Calves
Calves is an hamlet located in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. It is divided between the parishes of Argivai and Beiriz and in the 2001 census it had 138 inhabitants.
Beiriz Carpets
The famed Factory of Beiriz Carpets (Tapetes de Beiriz) is also located there. The history of the Beiriz carpets began in early 20th century as an idea from Hilda d'Almeida Brandão Rodrigues Miranda, a Portuguese-Brazilian born in Salvador da Bahia in 1892 and deceased in 1949, in Beiriz, where she built a small workshop and after that a factory together with a helper, Rita Conceição. They both invented the "nó de Beiriz" or Beiriz knot, which became renowned.
Countryside estates
Calves, in the parish of Beiriz, is noted for its countryside estates (Quintas in Portuguese), namely Quinta de Calves and Quinta de Beiriz. Supporting the Romantic scenery, part of Santa Clara Aqueduct is located in Calves. Quinta de Beiriz is the most notable of the estates. It is a Romantic estate idealized by Alfredo de Almeida Brandão, a diplomat and a fine-arts lover. The estate includes gardens with two lakes and a park covered by trees, water fountains and mythical statues in Le Nôtre style. The small palace of the estate was built in the beginning of the 20th century, but several constructions are from the 18th century. Beautification works were also done in D. Hilda Chapel and social live rooms with Portuguese-style Baroque woodcarvings. The azulejos used in the exterior walls of the palace includes hunting and countryside motifs. The estate was recovered in 1972, especially the chapel, re-inaugurated in 1993, which mimics the Minho region sanctuaries of the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1956, the chapel was practically destroyed due to vandalism and the woodcarvings were sold, as the owners feared robbery.
