Natural patrimony
Visible from all over Vilariça, at an altitude of 363 meters, right in the heart of the Vilariça Valley, it is believed that the juniper cross was ordered to be erected more than 130 years ago by the Rector of Sampaio (Fr José Tibúrcio de Azevedo). For the Vilariços, Monte de Santa Cruz is a mythical, historic and holy place. Mythical because it keeps in the depths of its entrails, the myths and legends of the entire Valley; historic because it was a Roman castro whose remains were studied by Dr. Santos Júnior, from the University of Porto, in his work “O Castro de Sampaio”; and holy since the Holy Cross was built on its summit, as a blessing to all who live there.