Maçainhas

Granja de Maçainhas belonged to the monastery of Salzedas which, in 1210, leased it to six inhabitants so that they could farm their land with a rent of six and ten per cent on all the fruit, except for the vegetable gardens and fruit orchards.The Monastery provided spiritual guidance, sending a priest to the farm to provide religious support.The land allocated to the residents was donated to the Monastery of Salzedas which, by means of donations or leases, such as Maçainhas, ensured its colonisation and farming.Afterwards João Fernandes, one of the most important abbots of the Salzedas Monastery, founded the parish of Maçainhas, which would later become a parish under the authority of the Prior of Santiago in the city of Guarda.Documents from the early 13th century already refer to the village of Maçainhas or Granja de Maçainhas. However, some archaeological remains allow us to establish its foundation at a much earlier time, namely: the Castro de Maçainhas, which is located at the top of the Portela hill and was initially occupied by the Lusitanians, before the Romans arrived in this territory. There are also traces of anthropomorphic graves which bear witness to the remote nature of this location.Religious Patrimony: Parish Church of Maçainhas de Baixo (Church of Santa Eufémia), Santo António Chapel (Maçainhas).The parishes of Chãos, Prado, Cubo and Gulifar are included in the parish of Maçainhas.