Regional Houses
Arcos de Valdevez Council House
Founded in 1955, the Casa do Concelho de Arcos de Valdevez stands out for its intense development in the sports area, which attracts many younger people.
In the first half of the 20th century, explains Joaquim Brito, 72, chairman of the board of Casa do Concelho de Arcos de Valdevez since 1965,
"many people from Arcos de Valdevez came to Lisbon in search of a better life. But as there wasn't enough work for everyone, many found it difficult to return home".
That's how one of the people from Valdevez, then working for the Civil Government in Lisbon, decided to set up a meeting point in the capital to help them.
"That was the reason why the Casa do Concelho de Arcos de Valdevez was founded in 1955," says Joaquim Brito. A robust but difficult ambition: "The 1960s were a bit complicated," he describes. "They were years of immigration, of the Colonial War, with many people emigrating to France and other countries." The future of the House faltered and even came to a halt with April 25th, as happened with many other houses.
Since the 1980s, he continues, things have changed: "It's back to full activity, but with other objectives.to bring together as many local people as possible, to promote the municipality and, at the same time, the city of Lisbon itself." And the sports initiatives promoted in those years, he confesses, were essential in attracting the younger generation:
"We are fortunate to have a lot of young people in the House today. Sport brings more strength to the Regional Houses".
Currently, the Casa has federated sports for men and women, with hockey teams, futsal, athletics, cycle tourism, mountain biking and even walking soccer for senior members. In May of this year, 2025, one of the Casa's most important initiatives - the Relay - will have a new edition, with a symbolic start in Santa Maria Maior, the association's birthplace, passing through Marvila and on to Arcos, for a total of almost 400 km with baton changes every 10 km.
Medal of Cultural Merit
In addition to its sporting activities, the House also has a strong cultural component, with a Folkloric Ranch, a Cavaquinho Group and its own library:
"The most important role of the Regional Houses is that of human coexistence. And that's what we try to do, through sport."
In addition, the House has been a fundamental pillar in the promotion of Arcos: "We were recognized by the municipality of Arcos Valdevez with the medal of cultural merit for the work we do here in Lisbon and for the promotion we do in the municipality itself," he says, visibly pleased.
Through the various activities organized, the House makes known the many traditions of this land in the heart of the Alto Minho, such as the great Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Peneda or its unique gastronomy, especially the superb cachena meat, from the Serra do Mezio to Soajo.
"Those who are involved in this," says Joaquim Brito, "those who love their land, it may be the poorest place in the world, but the place where we were born we never forget, and those who love the place where they were born love all this movement, all this work."
Casa do Concelho de Arcos de Valdevez is located at Rua Augusto Rosa, 58, in Santa Maria Maior.