Cerejais (Alfândega da Fé)
Encyclopedia
Cerejais is a civil parish in the municipality of Alfândega da Fé, in continental Portugal, occupying an area of 17 km² of hilltop escarpments.
In 1706, from the writings of Father Carvalho da Costa, the settlement had about 70 homes. Later (1758), in the Memórias Paroquiais, the clergy in the settlement are represented by the rector of Alfândega da Fé, receiving annual 8$000 reís
stipend.
By 1759, the lands of Cerejais were owned by the estate of the Marquis of Távora
; that year, the Marquess' lands and property were confiscated by the state, stemming from the events of the Távora affair
.
In 1855, until that year, the parish pertained to the municipality of Chacim, passing to Torre de Moncorvo and shortly later to Alfândega da Fé.
Even with these changes, by 1926, the settlement had no less than 79 homes and 311 inhabitants.
The primary buildings in the parish include the pre-school and the primary school , and the seniors centre .
Typical of the artesian local community (calçada stoneworks
are common), the village claims as its primary gastronomic foods: the Folar da Páscoa (Easter Sweet Bread), sausages and the local dessert known as Os Dorminhões.
History
A settlement in the area of Cerejais dates back to the 9th century. The origin of its name is also remotely associated with the Ceresales, Cersares and Cersales, a zone historically known for the cultivation of cherries and cherry orchards.In 1706, from the writings of Father Carvalho da Costa, the settlement had about 70 homes. Later (1758), in the Memórias Paroquiais, the clergy in the settlement are represented by the rector of Alfândega da Fé, receiving annual 8$000 reís
Portuguese real
The real was the unit of currency of Portugal from around 1430 until 1911. It replaced the dinheiro at the rate of 1 real = 840 dinheiros and was itself replaced by the escudo at a rate of 1 escudo = 1000 réis...
stipend.
By 1759, the lands of Cerejais were owned by the estate of the Marquis of Távora
Marquis of Tavora
Count of São João da Pesqueira was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, dated from 21 March 1611, by King Philip II of Portugal , and granted to Dom Luís Álvares de Távora, Lord of Távora.In the 17th century this family received new honours: a royal decree of King Afonso VI of...
; that year, the Marquess' lands and property were confiscated by the state, stemming from the events of the Távora affair
Távora affair
The Távora affair was a political scandal of the 18th century Portuguese court. The events triggered by the attempted murder of King Joseph I of Portugal in 1758 ended with the public execution of the entire Távora family and its closest relatives in 1759...
.
In 1855, until that year, the parish pertained to the municipality of Chacim, passing to Torre de Moncorvo and shortly later to Alfândega da Fé.
Even with these changes, by 1926, the settlement had no less than 79 homes and 311 inhabitants.
Geography
The parish of Cerejais is situated on a plateau/bluff, with many of the homes and buildings disperesed around the Sabor River. It is located 8 kilometres from the municipal seat, south of the parish of Alfândega da Fé between the neighbouring parishes of Ferredosa and Sendim da Serra, to the west, and Sendim da Ribeira and Parada, in the east.The primary buildings in the parish include the pre-school and the primary school , and the seniors centre .
Economy
Its rich and fertile soils, have made Cerejais principally an agricultural community, with the cultivation of cherries, rye, almonds and olives (in addition to the production of olive oil).Religious
- Matriz Church of São Paulo (Church of Saint Paul)
- Chapel of São Sebastião (Chapel of Saint Sebastian)
- Chapel of the Cavaleiro (Chapel of the Knight)
- Chapel of the Louca (Chapel of the Crazy Woman)
- Chapel of Santa Ana (Chapel of Saint Ana)
- Sanctuary of the Coração de Maria (Sanctuary of the Heart of Mary)
Culture
Cerejais celebrates several religious festivals throughout the year, including: the Festival of the Imaculada Conceição (on the last Sunday in May, with a formal procession, images and mass); on the 25 January, the celebrations of Saint Paul (in Cerejais); in the end of May, the celebrations of Nossa Senhora de Fátima ; and the Festival of São Sebastião at the end of July.Typical of the artesian local community (calçada stoneworks
Portuguese pavement
Portuguese pavement , is a traditional style pavement used for many pedestrian areas in Portugal, it can also be found in Olivenza , and throughout the old Portuguese colonies such as Brazil and Macau...
are common), the village claims as its primary gastronomic foods: the Folar da Páscoa (Easter Sweet Bread), sausages and the local dessert known as Os Dorminhões.