Rates Ecomuseum

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Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic portal in the Romanesque Church of Rates.

Rates Ecomuseum (Portuguese: Ecomuseu de Rates or Ecomuseu de São Pedro de Rates) is a historic countryside pedestrian circuit or ecomuseum in the parish of Rates in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal.

Highlights of the 8 km-long circuit are the Romanesque Church of Rates, the bell-tower of the former monastery, the Praça, the rural architecture using shale as a construction material, the local section of the way of Saint James, the countryside landscape, windmills, watermills and the linen, bread and wine-making cultures.

The ecomuseum includes maps and plates with information in Portuguese and English.

History[]

The ecomuseum opened on April 21, 2007. Works started on eight stops (estações), for the first fase. Two more stops: Casa do Trabalhador Rural and Parque Ambiental were postponed for later development.[1]

The project was financed by the City Hall of Póvoa de Varzim with the support of the national government's Agris program on rural development, officially known as Programa Operacional Regional - Medida Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural.[1]

Main sights[]

  • Romanesque Church of Rates - National monument. One of the most important, best-preserved and ancient Romanesque temples in Portugal (6th-13th century). This stop also includes the Church's museum.
  • Fonte de São Pedro de Rates - Fountain figuring in myths about the Christianization of the region (1st-9th century).
  • Santo António - 18th century Baroque Chapel of Santo António and Casa do Lavrador (Farmer's House).
  • Ancient Fountain and Lavadouro - used for drinking and washing area, respectively.
  • Praça - historical square, civic center in the early Middle Ages.
  • Windmill and Park near the Escola Agrícola (Farmer school)
  • Fonte do Pedro, a fountain
  • Fonte da Granja, a fountain
  • Azenha do Pego, a watermill
General details
An information plate along the route
Capital with beasts in the Romanesque church.
The main square
Former town hall and pillory

References[]

  1. ^ a b São Pedro de Rates testemunha o seu passado agrícola – Inauguração do ECOMUSEU, Sábado, 21 de Abril, às 15h00 - CMPV

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