Faia

The existence of the village of Faia is mentioned in the charter of Guarda by King D. Sancho I, although it is believed to have been occupied between the Iron and Roman Ages, given the archaeological remains. The existence of anthropomorphic graves at Ramalhosa also points to the presence of a village during the Late Middle Age period.Edified Patrimony: Faia Mother Church, Diving Fountains, 5 Chapels (two of which are private), Roman Road, the Faia Cross, manor houses with coat of arms blocks (Quinta da Ponte, Quinta de São Matheus and Quinta da Calçada), the Alminhas and niches of Nossa Senhora dos Bons Caminhos, the water fountains, houses with cruciform shaped doorways, and Manueline motif windows (Faia: Rua Direita, Rua da Igreja, Largo das Moreirinhas), the Periqueiros Medieval Path, small shrines and crosses.Handicraft: Lace quilts, rag blankets, patchwork blankets, lace representations of small river stones and wicker baskets.Traditional cuisine: ‘Coroas de Rainha’ (Queen's Crown) cakes, biscuits, ‘Filhós’ (‘fried dumplings’), ‘Bacalhau à lagareiro’ (cod), stewed lamb, roasted lamb, sliced olives, marinated river fish, ‘Peixinhos da horta’ (‘vegetable fried dish’), Christmas soup, ‘Arroz doce’ (sweet rice), ‘Botelha de leite’ (milk porridge) and ‘Papas de milho’ (corn porridge).Myths: Milagre do Azeite (‘The Miracle of Olive Oil’); Lenda das rosas brancas (‘The Legend of the White Roses’); Santa Queijeira (‘ Holy Cheese Maker’); Lenda do Lobisomem (‘The Legend of the Werewolf’); Costureirinha (‘The Little Sewer’).