Parish

Parish
History and Curiosities
Summary HistoricalGeographical SituationThe Illustrious House of Ramires
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History

The name of the parish comes from its patron saint, Saint Cyprian, a bishop and martyr of the 3rd century. In the Middle Ages, the locality was referred to as 'S. Cibrão' and, in the 16th-century Censual of the Chapter of Lamego, as 'San Cibrian'. It is neither unique nor rare: the same happens in São Martinho and São Romão. Saint Cyprian was a 3rd-century martyr who bore witness to Jesus Christ with his own blood.
The presence of a megalithic site in the area attests to human occupation of the region since prehistoric times. This archaeological heritage suggests that the area was inhabited and significant long before the medieval period.

Our parish of São Cipriano holds the registered trademark of the "Village of Music," for which it is known due to its long and strong philharmonic tradition, a rarity at the national level. The recognition as the "Village of Music" comes from this unique musical history and the strong connection of the population to musical art. The ambition to achieve the official status of "Village of Music" has been promoted by associations and the Parish Council, a village that has two centenary philharmonic bands, The Old Music Band of São Cipriano and The New Music Band of São Cipriano, a remarkable aspect of its cultural identity. The musical tradition of São Cipriano is not only expressed in the bands but in the very life of the village, with many of its inhabitants being musicians. This musical identity is a point of pride and a distinctive mark of the parish in the Portuguese cultural landscape. Alongside its strong philharmonic band tradition, there is a folk group that preserves and promotes the traditional dances and songs from the region, the Rancho Danças e Cantares de S. Cipriano aims to keep alive the cultural practices that have been lost over time in the parish, preserving and showcasing the folklore and ethnography of the area. It seeks to revive the old costumes, dances, and songs of the parish, performing at local and national events. The festivals in honor of the patron Saint Cipriano and the Cultural Week are highlights of the parish calendar. The parish of São Cipriano is, therefore, a place where ancient history intersects with modern literary references and vibrant cultural traditions, establishing itself as a unique location in the historical and artistic heritage of the municipality of Resende and nationally.

The "Illustrious House of Ramires" and Literature, the history of our parish gained national and literary prominence thanks to the work of Eça de Queirós, "The Illustrious House of Ramires." The Torre da Lagariça, this monument, declared a Property of Public Interest by decree on September 29, 1977, was the inspiration for the main character's house in the novel. Its memory endures, and its location in São Cipriano is an important cultural landmark, attracting visitors interested in Eça de Queirós's literary route. Unique Heritage and Historical Landmarks, in addition to the Torre da Lagariça, other elements mark our local history: the Church of São Cipriano, an imposing 18th-century temple notable for its grand and harmonious architecture, reflecting the importance and wealth of the parish at the time of its construction; the bridges of Lagariça and Covelinhas; the mills; the chapel of Sr. dos Aflitos; the chapel of Saint Anthony; the chapel of Our Lady of Conception; and the alminhas of Saint Cyprian, small roadside altars or chapels, usually made of stone, dedicated to the souls in purgatory. They are places where the faithful stop to pray for the souls of the deceased, sometimes leaving alms, candles, or flowers. They may have been erected on the way to the cemetery or in places where a tragic death occurred, serving as a memorial. The Miner Sculpture is a reference to these 'alminhas'.