Among the ancient peoples the Romans left strong traces of
their interest on the lands of this region. The Sueves, Alanos
and Visigods also were here afterwards. These peoples spread
throughout the region, searching for the best farming lands.
From 718 onwards this region was under the domain of the Arabians.
With the Christian Reconquest the strategic location of these
lands contributed to the present Chão d’Ordem Farm to be one
of the places donated to the Knights of the Templar Order
by D. Fernão Mendes of Braganza, a rich man, count and D.
Afonso Henriques’s brother-in-law, on 10th June 1145.
The Knights Templars or Knights of the Templar Order had the
intention to protect the tomb of Christ and their name came
from the fact that they established in Jerusalem at the Temple
of Salomon. They were very important in the foundation of
the nationality, since they were included in the so-called
Crusade of the West. On the Castle of Marialva we can find
traces of the Knights Templars. Longroiva and its term, with
the Chão d’Ordem Farm, were their domains. At the Chapel of
Our Lady of Torrão, in Longroiva, strong evidences of their
presence can be found. At the Castle of Longroiva an inscription
can be seen, which says that the Great-Master of the Order
of the Knights Templars, Gualdim Pais, ordered the construction
of the tower with his “brothers”.
Several abuses of the Knights of the Temple made the Pope
John XXIII, as a request of the King D. Dinis, to consent
that the estate, rights and honours of the Knights Templars
passed to the newborn Order of Christ. This Order, of Portuguese
origin, which was to be the promoter of the gest of the Discoveries,
paid great attention to these lands and fortifications. On
the other hand the people paid them with cereals, olive oil,
wine and other high quality products. Some places, like Quintãs,
Relva and Canameira Farms, at the end of Longroiva, returned
their protection with foodstuffs. They explored few places
directly, but among those were, as a beloved jewel, the Chão
d’Ordem Farm, whose denomination still remains today.
Quinta
do Chão D'Ordem - Turismo Rural -
Tel./Fax
- 279 762 427 - Estrada Nacional 102 - 5150 Vila Nova
de Foz Côa - Portugal
Among the ancient peoples the Romans left strong traces of
their interest on the lands of this region. The Sueves, Alanos
and Visigods also were here afterwards. These peoples spread
throughout the region, searching for the best farming lands.
From 718 onwards this region was under the domain of the Arabians.
