Visit the ruins of adeia Vilarinho das Furnas - Campo do Geres

Vilarinho the Furna was a small village in the parish of Field gerês.

According to oral tradition would have begun its existence at the opening of the road "Geira. We would be the year of 75 d.C..
A group of seven workers, and according to legend, decided to settle with the current Portela Field. Shortly thereafter, on grounds of disagreement that four men left their colleagues and were installed just a few meters from the right bank of the river Man, giving thus the beginning of the village of Vilarinho Furna.
Evidence of Roman presence is in the two cobbled roads that gave access to the south side of town and above all, the three bridges of solid architecture.
Like most mountain villages of northern Portugal, Vilarinho Furna comprised of a cluster of granite houses, aligned to each other, forming winding alleys. The family homes are generally composed of two overlapping and independent floors - one-story store, designed to guard herds and farmers tools and products, and a first floor dwelling itself, where were the kitchen and bedrooms.
The furniture was simple and modest. Some objects such as dishes, lamps, tableware, lamps, etc.., Were bought at the fair or the vendors that passed through the village more or less regularly.
Others were homemade as the cabinets, wooden beds, rarely ornamented with religious, tables and benches, as well as virtually all clothing.
The night lighting was done with a variety of lamps and chandeliers closed container, which operated the oil, animal fat or oil, when that was scarce in times of war.
All the inhabitants of the Furna Vilarinho, ai residents, practicing the Catholic religion, which causes severe criticism from others and the length of any non-religious duties.
The people of Vilarinho, besides the observance of the laws of his country, had also their domestic laws that were respected and scrupulously observed. For this there was a panel that consisted of a Custodian (formerly Judge), accompanied by six members.
To this assembly could be elected from the six heads of families, both men and women, who in that capacity, when in a state of widowhood or absence of the husband, due to emigration. The women could vote and attend meetings of the Board, however, could never be chosen for the high office of Keeper, because this appointment was made among married men, in chronological order of the consortium.

The elections for the choice and replacement of the Six-Porter were held every six months. The Six that ceased to function, would pass to the successors in the presence of the new Custodian and Custodian outgoing, outstanding issues and money in a safe.
At times, the Custodian prior to the start of the meeting, swore on the holy Evengelhos and, at the time of his inauguration, wielding the stick of the five wounds, swearing, thus keeping all the neighbors.

The Board meeting, usually every Thursday. For this, the Custodian, at the break of dawn, blew a horn (Buzios) or a bull's horn, calling the components of the Board. At the end of the third ring, spacing, heading toward the coast of Vilarinho, carrying a box where they were the leaves of the law. It then proceeded to call the Janitor, applying to a faulty "condemns" of 50 cents, unless a family member appear for justifying the reason for absence. However, those who lacked all day without giving any justification, were ordered to pay $ 5 00. The meeting in the afternoon it was not in the village square, but, yes, next to fields, the Roman bridge over the River Man. It was in these meetings that determined the future work and the "sentences" to be applied.
After everyone has discussed various issues relating to village life, the six gathered to deliberate, always winning the majority and having the Custodian casting vote. The main issues focused on the construction and repair of roads, walls and bridges of common usefulness, the pastoral organization (vezeiras and feirio), organization of agricultural work (looped, trimmed, harvesting, mowing, etc.). And also the distribution of irrigation water, etc..
The duties of the Custodian was such, that could, in very severe case, expel the neighbor, ie, margin it fully in social life and the Community system. He was also the Judge of all crimes except for homicide to be a matter for the courts.

There was a neat feeling of solidarity that enveloped this people and their strength of unity, reflected in the motto of everyone by everyone.
Much would say the EU regime for Vilarinho, a people who left us all a story and an example.
The spectrum of the dam began to hover over the population as a ravenous vulture. The dam construction company arrived, rode sues the camp and put to work. This appears progressive and relentless.
The exodus of the people of Vilarinho may find themselves between September 1969 and October 1970 in the village when the notices were posted to mark the tapamento the dam. Have had a year since, the inhabitants of Vilarinho to make your plans, look for new land and make the transfer of their furniture.

The 57 families living in this village, are now scattered in many different lands of the districts of Braga.

Of life and corners of the village community there is no longer a dream.
Dream that is continued in the Ethnographic Museum of the Furna Vilarinho, built with the stones of the village.

The dam of the Furna Vilarinho was inaugurated on May 21, 1972