About Sabrosa

Sabrosa is a municipality in the Vila Real district, northern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 9,269, in an area of 156.60 km². The municipality includes several villages, such as Sabrosa proper, Aldeia Nova, Celadão, Ribeira de Nisa, São Lourenço de Riba Tâmega and Vale de Meão. The presence of man in the territory of Sabrosa dates back to the time of the Neanderthals. This is attested by the discovering of a Neanderthal skull in 1867, during construction works near the village of São Lourenço de Riba Tâmega.[3] The first written references to the territory date back to Roman times, when it was crossed by roads linking Bracara Augusta (present-day Braga) to Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga, Spain). The name "Sabrosa" has a disputed origin. According to Miguel Corte-Real, it derives from "saber", the Latin word for "knowledge" or "science" (cf. Spanish: saber, Portuguese: saber), because of the numerous druidic schools that existed in the municipality in ancient times.[4] However, others believe the name has a pre-Roman origin, deriving from "sabroso", the Latin word for "delicious" or "flavorful" (cf. Spanish: sabroso, Portuguese: saboroso).[5][6] The municipality of Sabrosa was created on 3 June 1836,[7] when it was detached from Vila Real. The parish of Sabrosa has a number of historical and cultural monuments, including the Castle of Sabrosa, the Churches of Conceição and São Lourenço, the Pillory of Sabrosa and the Fonte do Curro. The Castle of Sabrosa is a medieval fortress located in the village of Sabrosa. It was built in the 13th century, during the reign of Afonso III of Portugal, in order to defend the border with Castile (present-day Spain). The Church of Conceição is a baroque church located in the village of Sabrosa. It was built in the 18th century. The Church of São Lourenço is a Romanesque church located in the village of São Lourenço de Riba Tâmega. It was built in the 12th century. The Pillory of Sabrosa is a pillory located in the village of Sabrosa. It was built in the 16th century. The Fonte do Curro is a fountain located in the village of Celadão. It was built in the 18th century.