Ansião

The first mention to Ansião dates back to 1175, but only in 1514 would King D. Manuel give it the statute of a small town, and sign the charter. The 17th century pillory has a Latin inscription, which witnesses the donation of the village to D. Luis de Menezes, Count of Ericeira, as a token of gratitude for his valuable participation in the Battle of Ameixial.
On this journey through history one must not forget to visit the Cal Bridge from the 17th century, the main church, whose construction dates also from the 17th century, the Chapels of the Misericórdia (Mercy) and of Senhor do Bonfim and also the Municipal Museum. A journey that can start thousands of years prior, very near there: the existence of a dolmen in Atalaia and another one at Alto do Pisca and the place of an old camp from the Iron Age at the Escampado de S. Miguel witnesses its ancient history. A treasure of denarius, found near the dolmen of Trás de Figueiró, and the possibility that the Roman via from Sellium to Conimbriga has crossed theses lands, seems to be proved at Santiago da Guarda. The Counts of Castelo Melhor's Mannor House, with its 15th century tower shows much of the history of theses places: the stones of this construction include several materials from the Roman period, namely an inscription that tells us about the existence of a village that should pay taxes to a neighbour municipality. This journey should continue in Alvorge, Torre de Vale Todos and Lagarteira, villages situated in the Ladeira area, the front line between Christians and Moors in the 12th and 13th centuries. The oven of Avelar is also medieval. A cake was baked in this oven during the festivities of Senhora da Guia, in September, and shared by the people.
Many centuries later, in 1933, José Malhoa painted a beautiful altarpiece devoted to Nossa Senhora da Consolação (Our Lady of Consolation) that is in the Choir of the Parish Church in Chão de Couce.