Cabeceiras de Basto

A RURAL MUNICIPALITY IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL

Cabeceiras de Basto is a Portuguese town in the district of Braga, northern region, and sub-region of Ave, with around 16,000 inhabitants.

The town twinned with Boavista in 2009. The statue “O Basto,” representing a Lusitanian warrior, embodies the “race” of the region’s inhabitants, their soul, and their traditions. Within it, the people of Cabeceiras see their courage and honesty, giving rise to a legend that explains the region’s name.

https://www.visitcabeceiras.pt/: Cabeceiras tourism portal

A widespread explanation of the toponym dates back to the alleged foundation by members of the Bastos (Bástulos or Bastianos) who arrived here, a group from the Galician population expelled in 711 after the Moors’ attacks. Tariq ibn Ziyad (Tarik) conquered the Visigothic Empire, to which Cabeceiras de Basto belonged, in 711 and largely destroyed the town.

Another explanation traces the toponym’s origin to the Roman era and the Latin term “vastu” or “pastu,” referring to the local pastures.

The twinning of the Municipalities of Cabeceiras de Basto and Boa Vista aims to foster friendship and collaboration between the two communities, valuing centuries of shared historical and cultural heritage that unites the peoples of Portugal and Cape Verde.

Cooperation and twinning will be developed in the domains of youth, education, health, environment, culture, training, sports, and technical assistance.