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Vila do Conde is located at the mouth of the Ave river. It is a seaside resort with an active fishing harbor and industrial center for ship building, textiles, and Chocolate making. The town is well known for its pillow lace and festivals.
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Source, Michelin Tourist Guide Book
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The Vila do Conde Branch meet in the same chapel as the Póvoa ward. In fact, I heard rumors that in 2000 the two units were combined. The chapel is the standard layout that the Church uses for constructed chapels. The Póvoa chapel has a wonderful green grass yard and a small soccer court.
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The former convent crowns a small hill over looking the town of Vila Do Conde. The edifice is very imposing. The building is now a reformatory. The imposing structure was built in the 18th century. Behind are some 14th century churchs and aquaducts.
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Behind the monastery is a church built in the 14th century. In the court yard between the old church and the monastery is a lovely fountain. A long aqueduct was constructed to bring water to the fountain and the buildings. The aqueduct stretched for miles through the fields by Vila de Conde and Povoa.
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This small praça is so typical of the Portuguese gardens that adorn communities throughout Portugal. Because of the mild climate, bright flowers blossom all year round.
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Vila Do Conde is known for its arts and crafts. They have a wonder fair in the late summer bringing together artisans from northern Portugal. One of the crafts centered in Vila Do Conde is the weaving of lace on cylindrical pillows. In the picture the women demonstrates this craft at the local museum dedicated to preserving this tradition. Notice the many bobbins used to weave the intricate patterns.
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This statue in the praça by the mouth of the River Ave commemorates the local craft of Pillow Lace
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