Município de Marco de Canaveses

The municipality of Marco de Canaveses is located in the district of Porto, in the heart of Douro Litoral. Its boundaries are established by the municipalities of Amarante (to the north), Baião (to the east), Cinfães and Castelo de Paiva (to the south), and Penafiel (to the west).

It covers an area of 202 square kilometers, within which 16 parishes are distributed: Banho e Carvalhosa, Constance, Soalhães, Sobretâmega, Tabuado, Vila Boa do Bispo, Alpendorada, Várzea e Torrão, Avessadas e Rosém, Bem Viver, Livração, Marco, Paredes de Viadores e Manhuncelos, Penha Longa e Paços de Gaiolo, Sande e S. Lourenço, Várzea, Aliviada e Folhada, Vila Boa de Quires e Maureles.

According to etymological studies, the first element of the main toponym of the municipality ("Marco") was attributed to this land because there used to be a stone marker here, which indicated the division of the parishes of Fornos, São Nicolau, and Tuías. "Canaveses," in turn, derives from "canavês," which means "land where hemp is cultivated," that is, hemp. This designation thus alludes to the cultivation of hemp, once abundant in this region.

Judging by the archaeological remains found in the territory of the current municipality of Marco de Canaveses, it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Later, it received the presence of the Roman people, who also left strong marks of their passage, notably the baths, the forum, residential areas, and a necropolis of the population of Tongóbriga.

The historical roots of this municipality are linked to the old town of Canaveses, whose lordship belonged to the family of D. Gonçalo Garcia, between 1255 and 1384. In that year, Canaveses was handed over by D. João I to João Rodrigues Pereira. Already in the 19th century, its lands were integrated into the municipality of Soalhães. However, this situation changed in 1852, with the creation of the municipality of Marco de Canaveses, which resulted from the annexation of the municipalities of Benviver, Canaveses, Soalhães, Portocarreiro, and parts of Gouveia and Santa Cruz de Riba Tâmega.