Mondego River
A curious legend attributes the name "São João de Areias" to the apparition of John the Baptist on the banks of the Mondego River. An old woman, upon seeing this vision yelled out "Boa Nova! Boa Nova!", so the area was named "Nova". Following public notice, the local residents proceeded in procession to their church. Being an image of John the Baptist and owing to the apparition occurring along the sandbank, the town started being referred to as "São João de" (or "das") "Areias" ("Saint John of the Sands").