Preserved Village Of Granja Do Tedo

The founding of the village of Granja do Tedo is shrouded in legends that intertwine with historical facts, making it difficult to distinguish reality. Anyone who arrives at this picturesque village and appreciates its natural beauty can hardly believe the bloody history behind the land. Situated on a hillside on the banks of the River Tedo, it is said that the village owes its name to the knight D. Thedon, who conquered several territories from the Moors and founded his home here in the 10th century, with a farm and an extensive olive grove. In fact, you can start your visit in the Historic Garden, where several poems painted on tiles tell the legend of Princess Ardinia and D. Thedon. Then continue through the village's core: visit the village below, where you'll find several original buildings with typical wooden balconies, Casas Brasonadas, the Mother Church and the Community Oven. Cross the old Romanesque bridge and take a stroll through the upper village where you'll find the Chapel of Senhora do Socorro, the pillory, an 18th century manor house and Rua do Bicão, certainly one of the narrowest streets in the world. There are several hiking trails and a large expanse of elderberry trees planted throughout the village, which give it a unique image, also celebrated at the Sabugueiros em Flor Festival in May. If it's hot, take the opportunity to bathe on the river beach or in the local swimming pools, where you'll also find a pleasant picnic area. One of the Catholic traditions that has the greatest impact here is Good Friday, when there is a night procession in which the whole village is lit up with lamps. A curious fact was the phenomenon of the Ark of the Covenant, a religious sect that Maria Coroada established on the site in the second half of the 19th century and which gave rise to the so-called Schism of Granja do Tedo and many others such as that of the Woman - Man or the Capuchin Serrena. PLACES OF INTEREST: - Mother Church of Granja do Tedo - Ancient Romanesque bridge - Cruzeiro dos Centenários - Chapel of São Francisco das Chagas - Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Socorro - Roman sidewalk - Ancient bridge over the River Tedinho - Historic Garden of Granja do Tedo - River beach and swimming pools - Mills - House of "Maria Coroada" - 18th century manor house - Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Mercês - Rua do Bicão - One of the narrowest streets in the world HISTORIES AND LEGENDS: - Legend of Ardínia and D. Tedon - The Schism of Granja do Tedo - History of the Woman-Man FESTIVITIES - Feast in honor of Nossa Senhora Da the Snows - August 5th - Night Way of the Cross on Holy Friday.