design, with a base decorated with representations of the life of Christ. Monastery of Ázere () - a Benedictine monastery Monastery of Ermelo (), a Romanesque monastery and church, but also a group of churches that correspond to the area of the River Lima, it was heavily altered in 1760. From the writings of Carlos Alberto F. de Almeida (1988), the decoration of the capitals and corners show an evolution in comparison to those in the Minho watershed, comparable to those in Valdreu (Terras de Bouro), Fervença (Celorico de Basto), and Ferreira (Paços de Ferreira). Sport The municipal government has funded several sports related projects to develop local athletics, including the construction and maintenance of the following: Arcos de Valdevez Municipal Pool (), that includes a 47m x 17m x1.8m deep pool, a health club, a commercial area with three shops and snack-bar; the building offers swimming lessons, hydrogymnastics, hydro-therapy, jacuzzi, as well as aerobics and training services; Coutada Municipal Stadium (), that supports the activities of the local schools, sports teams (especially soccer and rugby), as well as athletics that include infrastructures for track events, administration, receptions, and a bar. In addition, there are several local sports organizations and clubs that benefit from the local infrastructures or offer different sporting services; these include the local equestrian and nautical club. The local football (soccer) club in Arcos is the C.A. Valdevez (), established in 1945, and currently playing the Portuguese Second Division Series A league. Arcos de Valdevez has a rugby team, Clube de Rugby de Arcos de Valdevez. Notable people Mariana Joaquina Pereira Coutinho (1748–1820) a courtier and salonist for queen Maria I of Portugal Manuel António Gomes (1868 in Santiago de Cendufe – 1933) a Catholic priest, inventor and physicist. Abílio Rodas de Sousa Ribas (born 1931 in Soajo) a Roman Catholic bishop emeritus of São Tomé and Príncipe Pedro Tiba (born 1988), known as Tiba, a footballer with over 400 club caps References Notes Sources Towns in Portugal Municipalities of Viana do Castelo District