VASCONCELOS, OF VILA DO CONDE

SUMMARY

Casa dos Vasconcelos-Vila do Conde

The Vasconcelos from Vila do Conde is a family that
played a relevant role in the cultural and architectonic
life of the county. They served as trustees, aldermen,
and secretaries of the Municipality, were abbots of
the mother church, militia's captains, majorats, judges
and have regularly been elected County
Administrators, treasurers and party leaders, all this
throughout a 200 year period.

Their forefathers were sailors, merchants and people
dealing in the sea-trade -- in fact, Vila do Conde has
been, in the past, one of the most active sea-trade
centers of Portugal.

It was in this town , facing the river, that they built
their manorhouse --Casa dos Vasconcelos, also known
as "Casa do Submosteiro" -- and bought several
other properties.

Paço de Sequeiros

Casa da Vila (Prado)

The Vasconcelos were also heirs and successors of
the Monteiros, from Azurara, and thus became owners
of "Casa da Vila", in Santa Maria dePrado, near
Braga.

They represent today the name of the eminent
genealogist Rev. Joao de Araujo Costa e Mello,
abbot of Perozelo, who lived in the 18th century.

Through other alliances, many other properties
belonged to the family, e.g. the "Casa de Sant'Ana" ,
in Azurara (already demolished), the "Casa do
Soutinho", Bravaes, Sto. Tirso and some others of
lesser importance.