The history of the village
It’s time for us to talk about the origins of this beautiful and wonderful village the people call "City’s Balcony"..
Historical importance:
This village became famous by the Treaty of Babe, on the 26th March 1387, between King John I and the Duke of Lencastre. At the entrance of the village, there is a monument which commemorates that historical mark.
Through this place and to the South (the “castro” of Sapeira) passed the roman road which headed from Braga to Astorga.
Parque Natural de Montesinho
Toponymy:
Babe, Babi in the inquiries from around 1258, means “portinha”(small door) in Arabic, but also “door”, can derive from Babon as well.
On the other hand, Babius was a Roman poet, and Babe could also take its name from him. The toponymy Babão is frequent, while Babilon is the last name of a Portuguese family from the 18th century. Therefore, it is not easy to say what the real origin of its name is, although it is not hard to believe that its toponymy has roman origin.
Commerce:
Like most villages in Bragança, Babe was a land of ores, such as iron pyrites, regarding the existence of a lead mine and manganese mine, situated between Babe and Caravela, and created by decree on the 8th April 1880, Government Diary of 6th October 1876. Babe, both commercial and industrially, is known throughout all Trás-os-montes, among others, by its pocket and kitchen knives, made by blacksmiths with high knowledge, according to the Abbot of Baçal in his works.
Monuments:
In the 18th century, the remains of the old church of St. Peter, located near Castragoza to the South, were still visible. Now there is the new church of St. Peter, as well as the Chapel of St. Sebastian and St. Joseph.
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Location Map
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Babe, Bragança, Portugal
Babe, situated at 800 metres of altitude, is located 14 km away of Bragança, 6 km away of Gimonde and 12 km away of the airport, following EN 218 until Gimonde and then EN 308.
You can visit the little ethnographic museum, the church with a steeple, the monument dedicated to the Treaty of Babe, ancient fountains, etc.
Activities
Riding bicycles;
Walking;
Contact with the rural life;
Getting in touch with popular traditions;
Purchase of regional products;
Typical gastronomy;
Places of interest in the neighbourhood:
Roman bridge in Gimonde
Rio de Onor
Village of Varge
The range of mountains of Montesinho
The lake of Sanábria
Castro Romano em Babe
The Church of St. Peter
The Chapel of St. Sebastian
The Chapel of St. George
Typical villages:
Gimonde, Guadramil, Rio de Onor, Varge, Montesinho.
Where to eat:
Café "Marrão" (500 m)
Restaurant "A Lombada" (1500 m)
Restaurant "Dom Roberto" (6 km)
Restaurant "Abel" (6 km)
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