Fornos (Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Encyclopedia
Fornos (ˈfɔɾnuʃ) is a civil parish in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, located 17 kilometres south of the municipal seat, in the northeast of Portugal
. In 2001 its population was less than 418 inhabitants, in an area of 28.67 km² bordering the Spanish border along the Douro River
s used in the production of ceramic pottery.
The land was probably inhabited before record-keeping was begun, and is substantiated by the discovery of a granite-sculpted pig (likely a wild boar) that was discovered by abbot
Tavares in Escouradal. This was during a period when an ecclesiastical vicarage under the authority of the archpriest
ad nutum from the religious college in Freixo de Espada à Cinta governed the lands in this region.
In 1644, during the Portuguese Restoration War
, it was looted by the Spanish army, along with the neighbouring parish of Lagoaça.
Between 26 June 1896 and 13 January 1898, Fornos was incorporated into the municipality of Torre de Moncorvo, along with the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
The belvedre of Carrascalinho is a popular physical attraction in the village: it has a panoramic vista of the Douro River, that includes the river-valley and the extensions of the Spanish province of Salamanca
. In reality, much (two-thirds) of the parish is included within the Douro International Nature Park
, which stretchs down the eastern border region of the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. In 2001 its population was less than 418 inhabitants, in an area of 28.67 km² bordering the Spanish border along the Douro River
History
Early references to the parish refer to the existence of ancient kilnKiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
s used in the production of ceramic pottery.
The land was probably inhabited before record-keeping was begun, and is substantiated by the discovery of a granite-sculpted pig (likely a wild boar) that was discovered by abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
Tavares in Escouradal. This was during a period when an ecclesiastical vicarage under the authority of the archpriest
Archpriest
An archpriest is a priest with supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches, although it may be used in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church instead of dean or vicar forane.In the 16th and 17th centuries, during...
ad nutum from the religious college in Freixo de Espada à Cinta governed the lands in this region.
In 1644, during the Portuguese Restoration War
Portuguese Restoration War
Portuguese Restoration War was the name given by nineteenth-century 'romantic' historians to the war between Portugal and Spain that began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon . The revolution of 1640 ended the sixty-year period of dual monarchy in Portugal...
, it was looted by the Spanish army, along with the neighbouring parish of Lagoaça.
Between 26 June 1896 and 13 January 1898, Fornos was incorporated into the municipality of Torre de Moncorvo, along with the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
Geography
Fornos is crossed by the E.N.221 national roadway, which bisects the parish in the northwest corner (from southwest to northeast). The roads of the main village run perpendicular to the E.N.221, such as the Rua do Calvário and Rua Nova (the roadway where the main clock-tower is located), Rua da Igreja, Largo do Terreiro do Santo, Largo do Senhor da Rua Nova and Rua do Santo (where the Chapel of Santo António and historical fountain is located).The belvedre of Carrascalinho is a popular physical attraction in the village: it has a panoramic vista of the Douro River, that includes the river-valley and the extensions of the Spanish province of Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
. In reality, much (two-thirds) of the parish is included within the Douro International Nature Park
International Douro Natural Park
The International Douro Natural Park is one of the thirteen natural parks of Portugal. It is located in the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cinta and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, spanning through a wide area along the Douro River as it makes the border between...
, which stretchs down the eastern border region of the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
Economy
The prinicipal activity in Fornos is agriculture: its settlers work in the fields, towards the cultivation of cereal crops, potato, olives and the production of olive oil, in addition to herding (particularly dairy and sheep).Architecture
- Matriz Church - which was constructed in 1609 (to the invocation of Santa EuláliaEulaliaEulalia is a feminine given name of Greek origin meaning "well-spoken." It may refer to:* Saint Eulalia, several people, and places named after them* 495 Eulalia, an asteroid...
, is a rustic building with main bell-tower with double bells.