The village of Vila Grande is the seat of the parish of Dornelas, a former domain of the archbishopric of Braga created by King Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. It was county seat until the constitution of the municipality of Boticas.
Its toponym Dornelas significa dorna pequena.
Its toponym Dornelas means a small vat that represented the measure of honey or wax that the parish gave to the Cathedral of Braga each year as a contribution. At the door of the parish church, located in the village of Vila Grande, there is an example of these vats.
Housed in one of the squares in the village of Vila Grande, next to the parish council headquarters, is a 16th century style pillory that bears witness to the autonomy that Couto de Dornelas once enjoyed. The pillory, which dates back to the 12th century, is classified as a Property of Public Interest.
Every year, on 20 January, one of the biggest community festivals in the municipality of Boticas is held in the village of Vila Grande. Find out more about the Feast or Table of S. Sebastião here.
Location
Fontes: Barroso da Fonte 1998, Dicionário dos mais ilustres Transmontanos e Alto Durienses, Editora Cidade Berço, Guimarães; Unidade de Arqueologia da Universidade do Minho 2016, Boticas o Espírito dos Lugares, Boticas.
