Black Cow

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Arts Centre

District: Braga > Guimarães > Guimarães > Urgezes

Urban Location

The "Vaca Negra" is located in the town of Urgezes, in the municipality of Guimarães. It is specifically situated in the well-known Vaca Negra place, next to Rua António da Costa, which is considered one of the central thoroughfares of the parish. Its establishment in this area gives it an integrated role in the dynamics and daily life of the local community.

History and Cultural Role

The building we know today as "Vaca Negra" originally served as Urgezes Primary School. It was a project promoted by D. Maria Francelina dos Santos Simões, in memory of her brother Francisco Santos Guimarães, and was completed in 1931. Over the decades, the space evolved, and currently serves as a center dedicated to creation, art, and culture, hosting various activities. This transformation maintains the site as a reference point for the community, now with a purpose of cultural enrichment.

Architectural Notes

This property stands out for its revivalist architecture, incorporating features of traditional Portuguese construction. It is characterized by a single-story structure, with a main entrance marked by a porch preceding the central hall. Its facades, plastered and painted white, contrast with the granite elements, present in the plinth and the trimmings of the openings. The tiled, hipped roof reinforces the vernacular aesthetic of the complex. In 1982, the building underwent an extension to its rear, an adaptation to respond to the demographic growth of the time.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt