Famalicão

Cultural Heritage: Besides having several buildings which are testimony to the intense artistic and craft activity of the more recent history - the Estêvão Martins da Rocha Varas Mill Museum, the Forge and the Community Oven - Famalicão is proud of its strong cultural and community activity:In the area of social services, there are two institutions - Associação Cultural e Social de Famalicão and Centro Social Paroquial de Famalicão - as well as the Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de Famalicão da Serra (Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Famalicão da Serra);Two more recreational organisations - Motoclube Mato Grosso (Mato Grosso Motorcycle Club) and Associação de Caça e Pesca (Hunting and Fishing Association);In terms of culture, the Banda Filarmónica de Famalicão (Famalicão Philharmonic Band) - the only one in the municipality - and the Centro Cultural e Famalicão (Famalicão Cultural Centre) stand out, maintaining three active projects: Fanfarra NemFáNemFum and Grupo de Concertinas ‘Foligaitos’ (street entertainment) and Grupo de Cantares ‘Cantarinhas de Famalicão’ (Famalicão Singing Group) which collects and recovers local songs and traditions.Some of the parish's cultural events reflect the work carried out by the organisation over the last 35 years: the ‘Enterro do Entrudo’ (Shrovetide Burial) and the ‘Festa da Castanha e da Jeropiga’ (Chestnut and Jeropiga – a traditional liqueur- Festivities).In the field of traditional crafts, there are still a basket maker, a tailor and occasional bottle wrappers ( using a wicker lintel).Barrelas Legend: ‘’Back in ancient times, Famalicão was located at the top of the mountain, in Barrelas. At a certain period, there was a plague of ants which destroyed crops, killed animals and even children. As a result, the inhabitants abandoned Barrelas and moved to the valley, where they founded Famalicão.’Legend of Senhor Bom Jesus: ‘A young shepherdess from Valhelhas was herding her flock by the river, about a kilometre from Famalicão, when she found a small figure of the Crucified Christ, which she carried home. The next day, while passing by the same location, he found the small piece again, by the edge of the water. She returned home and locked the relic in a chest, but the sacred figure disappeared - and reappeared again and again at the same place, close to the stream of Famalicão. For this reason, the lords of Valhelhas ordered the construction of the monastery of Senhor Bom Jesus, which is still standing and hosts the most important pilgrimage in Famalicão, in honour and praise of Senhor Bom Jesus, during the last weekend of September.’Religious patrimony: In addition to the main church (formerly the private chapel of the Counts of Castelo-Melhor), Famalicão also has the chapel of the monastery of Bom Jesus de Famalicão and four other small chapels dedicated to other saints, forming a cross with the main church at the very centre:‘ Village of Famalicão, Four crossed chapels: Santo Antão and Santo António,  S. Marcos and Bom Jesus.’  (André Carvalho)Natural Heritage: At Ribeira de Quêcere (a stream which flows into the Mondego River) the ‘Poço das Pias’ is a testimony to the strength of the water, which has carved out two deep sinkholes into the granite bedrock. ‘Pedra da Anvil’ is a landmark on the western hillside. The chestnut and oak woods on the eastern hillside display their majestic splendour, turning red and yellow in autumn. High above, the imposing ‘Penedo agudo’ stands out. The parish of Famalicão is adjacent to Carapita.