During the 19th century, French troops were responsible for the destruction and pillaging of many of the infrastructures and deaths. By the middle of the 19th century, the town had one ecclesiastical parish, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, founded by Manuel I of Portugal, and erected by the archbishop of Braga, Diogo de Sousa in 1518. In addition, the community included the "Church of the Misericordia", hospital, six chapels, municipal building, customhouse, the Convent of Santa Clara (now remodelled and expanded since its construction), and the "Convent of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação". In addition, the secular buildings included a small theatre, a "recreational assembly" and ornate dock of rock on the right margin of the Ave River towards its mouth, and across from the Chapel of "Nossa Senhora da Guia".