Póvoa's parchment records go back over a thousand years: the oldest documentary reference is dated 953 and is found on the letter of sale of the rural property of Villa de Comite. In 1308 the reguengo Varazim de jusão received its first charter, but it was only in 1514 that it became fully independent with the charter granted to it by D. Manuel I. The centre of the medieval town was in an area further inland, and from there it expanded westwards, towards the beach. In the 16th century an urban centre developed in the zone around today’s parish church, and became the municipal centre of a flourishing town.
Location: Póvoa de Varzim
Location: Póvoa de Varzim
