It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a field quartered of yellow and blue.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2025

Shield Azure parted by three barrulets wavy Argent, on chief an open book Gules bound Or, on dexter page a Maltese cross Argent, on sinister page (not part of blazon) lines of scripture of the same, on base a cogwheel Or flanked by two oat ears of the same, both in pale. Mural crown Argent with four visible towers (village rank) and short white scroll, in Bénard-Guedes style, reading in black upper case serifed letters "CASTÊLO DA MAIA".
Meaning:
The cross is taken from the arms of the former Gondim Commune, cogwheel and barrulets from those of the former Barca Commune, the oat ears from those of both former Avioso communes, the book from those of the former Gemunde Commune. There is no local castle, but the caves, where a part of the inhabitants live, often called "castles of Maia", are the name giver of the commune.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2025

Published in Diário da República: II Série on 6 September 2019
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2025

Presentation of Castêlo da Maia

Castêlo da Maia is one of the three communes of Maia Municipality created by a merger during the 2013 changes. It had 18 587 inhabitants in 2021 and covers 19,4 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2025

Former Santa Maria de Avioso Commune (until 2013)

Flag

2:3, image by Sérgio Horta, 29 Oct 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain white field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Coat of Arms

Shield Gules, in central chief per pale a chisel Argent superimposed by a hammer and a pick axe Or bladed Argent and crossed per saltire, the whole flanked by two ears of oat Or, in base a mountain issuant Argent. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials "AVIOSO - SANTA MARIA"
Meaning:
The tools in chief are representing the art of stonecutting, which is practised in the commune since time immemorial. The oat ears are canting elements, "avioso" is derived from "aveia", which means "oat". They are also alluding to agriculture especially the cultivation of oat since time immemorial. The white mountain is symbolizing the so called "castles of Maia", which are caves building flats, carved out from Monte de Santo Ovídeo. The red colour is symbolising force, power and vital energy, it is furthermore symbolising the local people as protectors of the victims of injustice, helplessness, poverty and oppression.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 4 November 2000
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of Santa Maria de Avioso

Santa Maria de Avioso was one of the ten communes of Maia Municipality affected by the 2013 changes. It had 4513 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 4,7 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Former São Pedro de Avioso Commune (until 2013)

Flag

2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Coat of Arms

Shield Azure with base wavy of Argent and Azure, a watermill wheel Argent flanked by two ears of oat Or, in chief two keys crossed per saltire, the bendy one Or, the sinister bendy one Argent. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials "AVIOSO - S. PEDRO".
Meaning:
The crossed keys are an attribute of St. Peter, name giver of the commune and local patron saint. The oat ears are canting elements, "avioso" is derived from "aveia", which means "oat".
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 28 June 2001
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of São Pedro de Avioso

São Pedro de Avioso was one of the ten communes of Maia Municipality affected by the 2013 changes. It had 3826 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 4,9 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Former Gemunde Commune (until 2013)

Flag

2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Coat of Arms

Shield Vert with base wavy of Argent and Azure, an open book Argent bound Gules, superimposed by two paly palm leaves ordered per fess, in chief a corn cob Or leafed of the same in each corner. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials "GEMUNDE - MAIA".
Meaning:
The palm leaves are alluding to the martyrs Cosmas and Damian, the local patron saints. The green colour of the shield and the corn cobs are representing agricultural riches. The base wavy is representing Setões River and its importance for the local agriculture.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 10 November 1999
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of Gemunde

Gemunde was one of the ten communes of Maia Municipality affected by the 2013 changes. It had 5215 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 5,4 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Former Barca Commune (until 2013)

Flag

2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain blue field.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Coat of Arms

Shield Argent divided by three barrulets Azure, in central chief a mitre Purpure lined Gules and adorned Or, superimposing two swords Purpure garnished Or and crossed per saltire, in base a cogwheel Gules. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials "BARCA - MAIA
Meaning:
Mitre and swords probably are attributes of St. Martin, the local patron saint.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 6 April 2000
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of Barca

Barca was one of the ten communes of Maia Municipality affected by the 2013 changes. It had 2633 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 3,4 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Former Gondim Commune (until 2013)

Flag

2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a field quartered of red and yellow.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Coat of Arms

Shield Gules divided by a bar wavy Argent charged with a barrulet wavy Azure, in chief a Maltese cross Argent flanked by two corn cobs Or leafed of the same, in base an orb Or. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials "FREGUESIA DE GONDIM".
Meaning:
The Maltese cross is alluding to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem aka Order of Malta, its presence in the area and its role in evangelising and developing the region. The corn cobs are representing agriculture as main business line. The orb is an attribute of Jesus Christ, being the local patron saint as the Divine Saviour. The bar wavy is representing Almorode River.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 17 June 1993
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of Gondim

Gondim was one of the ten communes of Maia Municipality affected by the 2013 changes. It had 2208 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 1,4 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

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