Fonte de Aldeia

Fonte de Aldeia is a parish in the municipality of Miranda do Douro, Portugal, which is located 15 kilometres south of Miranda do Douro proper, directly at the Spanish-Portuguese border. The village presumably dates back to a Roman fort that existed on Mount Trinidad and of which there are almost no traces left. Fonte de Aldeia was first recorded in the "Torre do Tombo" register in 1528. [cite book|title=Torre do Tombo|volume=VI (contracts)|pages=74 ff.|author=D. João III|year=1528]

Economy

Aldeia is a rural village in the heart of the Mirandês plateau, which mainly depends on agriculture and livestock. Often the traditional farmwork is still carried out manually, but it is being replaced by mechanised farming.

History and traditions

Fonte de Aldeia was the home of a wealthy religious order, which also had possessions in neighbouring Castile. Each friar offered a certain quantity of cereals, which was deposited in a barn (that still exists) to serve as a loan to families in need. In addition to the twelve annual Holy Masses which are still held today in memorial of the souls of the dead friars, there is also one single grand church service with a large number of priests for the same purpose.

References