Category: Culture and Entertainment > Artwork
District: Aveiro > Santa Maria da Feira > Fiães
Fiães is a dynamic city, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, within the district of Aveiro and integrated into the Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region (CIRA). Its landscape is characterized by a fertile valley, irrigated by the Uíma River, an element that historically drove its development and prosperity. It presents itself as an area where natural wealth harmonizes with an evolving urban fabric.
Fiães' surrounding environment, despite its urbanization, preserves traces of its connection to the territory, being encircled by several other parishes within the same municipality. This position, allied with its history, confers a distinct identity on it within the regional panorama.
The history of Fiães is remarkably deep, with traces dating back to prehistory, such as the presence of dolmens and hillforts, indicating very ancient human occupation. One of the most significant sites is the Monte de Santa Maria, also known as Monte do Redondo, where important archaeological evidence was discovered.
It is believed that this mount housed a Lusitanian-Roman settlement called Lancobriga, which is thought to have been a prominent city for the Turduli Veteres. Roman influence remains visible today, particularly in the place called Ferradal, where remains of pavement can be observed that were part of the ancient Roman road, which connected Olissipo (Lisbon) to Bracara Augusta (Braga), passing through Lancobriga. This heritage underscores the historical importance of Fiães as a passage point and settlement over the centuries.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, one of Fiães' notable heritage elements, is surrounded by a captivating local legend. It is said that its location was determined in a singular way: faced with indecision about where to build the hermitage, the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição was placed on the back of a she-ass, which carried it from the atrium of the old church. The animal reportedly stopped on a slope of Monte de Santa Maria, facing the sea, which justified the construction of the chapel in that precise spot, with its main door facing the ocean.
This legend is revived annually on the afternoon of December 8th, maintaining the tradition of bringing a she-ass to the chapel's atrium, laden with chestnuts and carumas for the traditional and festive magusto, thus perpetuating a moment of faith and community sharing.
In one of Fiães' roundabouts, there is a striking contemporary work of art that invites reflection: the sculpture Danonaselo, conceived by San Damon. This piece, three meters high, is part of the S.O.G. (Geometric Oniroscopist Sculpture) series and is distinguished by its peculiar shape and the visual effects that daylight and nighttime illumination provide, altering its appearance according to the time of day.
The sculpture is strategically positioned to "look" towards the ocean, in a symbolic perspective that encompasses neighboring lands. A detail to note is the plaque on its pedestal, which explains the meaning of the work and includes a poem by the author, providing visitors with a deeper dimension and an opportunity for contemplation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.9984703, -8.5306042
Coordinates DMS: 40°59'54.5"N 08°31'50.2"W
On-duty Pharmacy Fiães
