Rates

Rates (pron. ) is a Portuguese parish and town located in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 2,539 inhabitants and a total area of 13.88 square kilometres.

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History
Rates is a historic small town that developed around the Monastery of Rates, established by Henry of Burgundy in 1100 AD on the site of an older temple. It gained importance due to the legend of Saint Peter of Rates, first bishop of Braga, becoming in a central place in the Portuguese Way of Saint James.

It has been inhabited since the Roman era; archaeological works in its church date the site from the Roman era, and there was a Roman road running through it.

In the 16th century, the monastery was dissolved and a Comenda of the Order of Christ was created. Its first Comendador was the Noble Knight Tomé de Sousa, who John III of Portugal made Governor of Brazil. It lost its municipal status in 1836 and was annexed to Póvoa de Varzim. It became a town again on July 2 1993, mostly due to its historical importance.

Geography
Rates is located 11 km east of downtown Póvoa de Varzim; and borders Laundos to the west, and Balasar to the east. In the northeast it has a border with Barcelos and to the south with Vila do Conde.

The parish is dominated by Serra de Rates, whose flora is distinguished by the Pedunculate Oak or the European Holly.

Rates is the biggest parish of the municipality and regardless being the most scarcely populated, the City Council of Póvoa de Varzim gives much attention to it, given its historical and landscape value to the municipality.

The entire town is centred on the monastery of Rates. Its historical centre is very well preserved, and it runs to Direita street, where the nobles and the bourgeoisie of the town used to live.

Architecture

 * São Pedro de Rates Church (12th century building listed as National Monument)
 * Pillory of Rates (listed property of public interest)
 * Senhor da Praça Chapel (Baroque architecture)

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