Vila Chã de Braciosa (in mirandese: Bila Chana de Barciosa) is a parish in the municipality of Miranda do Douro, Portugal, which is located 15 kilometres south of Miranda do Douro proper, directly on the Portugal-Spain border. The population in 2011 was 327,[1] in an area of 42.94 km².[2] It consists of the villages Vila Chã, Freixiosa and Fonte de Aldeia. Fonte de Aldeia was first recorded in the Torre do Tombo register in 1528.[3]

Vila Chã de Braciosa
Vila Chã de Braciosa is located in Portugal
Vila Chã de Braciosa
Vila Chã de Braciosa
Location in Portugal
Coordinates: 41°25′41″N 6°20′42″W / 41.428°N 6.345°W / 41.428; -6.345
Country Portugal
RegionNorte
Intermunic. comm.Terras de Trás-os-Montes
DistrictBragança
MunicipalityMiranda do Douro
Area
 • Total42.94 km2 (16.58 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total327
 • Density7.6/km2 (20/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)

History and traditions

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Fonte de Aldeia was home to 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

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  1. ^ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. ^ Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país
  3. ^ D. João III (1528). Torre do Tombo. Vol. VI (contracts). pp. 74 ff.