Municipalities of Portugal

Many of the municipalities of Portugal are older than the country itself. Some cities, towns and villages have twice the age of Portugal, or even more. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and in the world. The country was formed as a dependent county of the former Kingdom of Leon in the 1090's, in 1128 became an independent county with the support of many Portuguese (to be) cities, and turned into a kingdom by the year 1139 and into Republic in 1910.

Contents

Municipalities in early Portugal

The Great Lords of the South of the Minho River (Braga, Porto and Coimbra) had made an alliance with the support of some religious and military orders. Braga was disputing the Christian supremacy of the Spains with Santiago de Compostela. Before the invasion of the Moors, Braga was the Capital of the former kingdom of the Suevi. Therefore, the independence was granted and the municipalities in Portugal held a great importance in medieval independent Portugal.

The Capital was decided to be Coimbra, Braga stayed as capital of the church or Capital of the Archbishops and Porto gave the name to the country and was Capital of Merchants.

As the country grew to the south, taking land back from the Moors, Lisbon an important, strategic and difficult conquest obtains the status of Capital from Coimbra. Evora and Rio de Janeiro (today a Brazilian city) were, also, for a short period, Capital of Portugal.

The emanicpation of Portuguese municipalities

By the 19th century, the republicans promised a federal organization for the Portuguese territory -- that the country would become a municipal republic. When the Republic was formed, however, they didn't adopt what they promised for almost half a century.

Later in the end of the 20th century, democracy has granted more independence to municipalities. And, the formation of two super municipalities, known as áreas metropolitanas (meaning "metropolitan areas") for the two major cities of the country (Lisbon and Porto). However, there has been discussions of the creation of three new metropolitan areas for the cities around Aveiro, Leiria and Viseu.

The municipalities in Portugal are known as concelhos ("councils"), but the word município ("municipality") is used and also official.

The Captured Municipality

Map of Portugal with the invaded municipality of Olivença shown in orange.
Enlarge
Map of Portugal with the invaded municipality of Olivença shown in orange.

In 1801, Spain and France decided to invade Portugal to stop them trading with Britain, an ally of Portugal. A block was made Europe-wide under pressure from Napoleon, but Portugal didn't join this. Because of this, Spain declared war on Portugal, invading and forcing the country to sign the Treaty of Badajoz which gave Olivença to Spain amongst other things.

By 1807, Spain and France had invaded Portugal and the Royal Family fled to Brazil, a Portuguese colony which was turned into an associated kingdom to Portugal on that occasion. In fact, Rio de Janeiro became the Capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve during the invasion of metropolitan Portugal.

When the war was over, Portugal tried to regain its lost territory. Spain and Portugal, among other nations, participated in the Congress of Vienna, where Spain, by its honor and will, promised to return the Municipality of Olivença to Portugal and the Treaty of Badajoz was declared officially void. Spain never made good on its promise. For two centuries Portugal has tried to regain Olivença, sometimes by force, but it has always withdrawn for fear of a new Peninsular War. To this day there is no official border between the two countries in that region.

List of municipalities

The list of Portuguese municipalities is divided by regions or Metropolitans Areas. The used regions are those used by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, since the country is not officially divided into regions and districts have fallen in disuse. The list also includes the activities and main attractions of each municipality. Some municipalities share a statute of World Heritage Site. This happens in the World Heritage region of Douro Vinhateiro that is shared by 13 municipalities. This also occurs in Madeira Island, where the Laurissilva Forrest is share by some municipalities. Others, such as Lisbon (two monuments classified) and Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Douro Vinhateiro and the Paleolitic pictures site) have more than one site.

Portugal has a number of unique hotels known as Pousadas Históricas, part of Pousadas de Portugal, that are located in national monuments, convents, castles and forts. They are also in the list. One can also find the monuments that were classified as National Monuments by Portugal, with the acronym N.M.. This features among others characterize each municipality, some like the Pousadas are seen in Portugal as a municipal pride.

Region
Metropolitan Area
Municipality Observations
Azores Islands
pt. Arquipélago dos Açores
Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island Bullfighting; World Heritage Site
Calheta (Azores), São Jorge Island Bullfighting
Corvo, Corvo Island
Horta, Faial Island
Lagoa (Azores), São Miguel Island
Lajes das Flores, Flores Island
Lajes do Pico, Pico Island
Madalena, Pico Island Scenery
Nordeste, São Miguel Island
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island Spas
Povoação, São Miguel Island Spas
Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island Fishery
Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island Spas
Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island
Santa Cruz das Flores, Flores Island
São Roque do Pico, Pico Island
Velas, São Jorge Island Scenery; bullfighting
Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island
Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island
Alentejo
Alandroal Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Terena
Alcácer do Sal Scenery; bullfighting; Pousada
Aljustrel
Almodôvar
Alter do Chão Bullfighting
Alvito Pousada
Arraiolos Pousada
Arronches Scenery
Avis
Barrancos Scenery; bullfighting
Beja Pousada; N.M.: Roman Villa of Pisões
Borba
Campo Maior N.M.: Castle of Campo Maior, Pre-Historic settlement of Santa Vitória
Castelo de Vide Scenery; spas
Castro Verde Scenery
Crato Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Flor da Rosa
Cuba
Elvas N.M.: Castle of Elvas, Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Megalitic Monuments of Elvas
Estremoz Pousada
Évora World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Évoramonte, Cathedral of Évora
Ferreira do Alentejo
Fronteira Spas; bullfighting
Gavião N.M.: Castle of Belver
Grândola Scenery
Marvão Scenery; mountains; spas
Mértola
Monforte Bullfighting; N.M.: Roman Villa of Torre de Palma
Montemor-o-Novo Scenery; N.M.: Grotto of Escoural
Mora Scenery
Moura Spas; bullfighting; Lagar de Varas do Fojo
Mourão
Nisa N.M.: Castle of Amieira do Tejo
Odemira Scenery; fishery
Olivença Occupied by Spain
Ourique Scenery; N.M.: Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola
Ponte de Sôr
Portalegre Scenery; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Portalegre
Portel
Redondo
Reguengos de Monsaraz
Santiago do Cacém N.M.: Roman Ruins of Miróbriga
Serpa Scenery
Sines Scenery; fishery
Sousel
Vendas Novas
Viana do Alentejo Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Viana do Alentejo
Vidigueira N.M.: Roman ruins of Villa Áulica and Convent of São Cucufate
Vila Viçosa Pousada
Algarve
Albufeira
Alcoutim
Aljezur Scenery; fishery
Castro Marim
Faro Fishery; N.M.: Roman Villa of Milreu
Lagoa (Algarve) Fishery; bullfighting
Lagos Scenery; fishery
Loulé Scenery; fishery
Monchique Scenery; spas
Olhão Scenery; fishery
Portimão Scenery; fishery; N.M.: Megalitic Monuments of Alcalar
São Brás de Alportel
Silves
Tavira Mountains; fishery; bullfighting
Vila do Bispo Scenery; fishery; N.M.: Fortress of Sagres, Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
Vila Real de Santo António Scenery; fishery
Beira Interior
Aguiar da Beira Spas
Almeida Spas
Belmonte Mountains; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Belmonte, Roman Tower of Centum Cellas
Castelo Branco
Celorico da Beira Scenery; mountains; spas
Covilhã Scenery; mountains; spas
Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo N.M.: Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar
Fornos De Algodres
Fundão Spas
Gouveia
Guarda Scenery; N.M.: Cathedral of Guarda
Idanha-a-Nova Spas, N.M.: Roman ruins of Egiptânia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha
Manteigas Scenery; spas
Mêda Spas; N.M.: Castle of Marialva
Oleiros
Penamacôr
Pinhel Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Pinhel
Proença-a-Nova Mountains
Sabugal Scenery; spas
Seia Mountains
Sertã
Trancoso
Vila de Rei
Vila Nova de Foz Côa World Heritage Sites
Vila Velha de Ródão
Beira Litoral Águeda
Albergaria-a-Velha
Anadia, Portugal Spas
Arganil Scenery
Armamar World Heritage Site
Arouca Scenery; N.M.: Monastery of Arouca
Aveiro Scenery; fishery
Cantanhede Fishery
Carregal do Sal
Castro Daire Spas
Castelo de Paiva
Coimbra N.M.: Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Monastery of Santa Cruz, New Cathedral of Coimbra, Old Cathedral of Coimbra
Condeixa-a-Nova Scenery
Cinfães Mountains
Estarreja
Figueira da Foz Scenery; fishery
Góis Mountains
Ílhavo Fishery
Lamego World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Ferreirim, Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão
Lousã
Mangualde Spas
Mealhada Spas
Mira Fishery
Miranda do Corvo
Moimenta da Beira
Montemor-o-Velho Scenery; spas; N.M.: Castle of Montemor-o-Velho
Mortágua
Murtosa Fishery
Nelas Mountains; spas
Oliveira de Azeméis
Oliveira do Bairro Scenery
Oliveira de Frades Mountains
Oliveira do Hospital Spas; Pousada
Ovar Natural beauties; fishery
Pampilhosa da Serra Mountains
Penacova Spas; N.M.: Monastery of Lorvão
Penalva do Castelo
Penedono
Penela N.M.: Castle of Penela
Resende Spas
Santa Comba Dão Spas
Santa Maria da Feira Spas; N.M.: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
São João da Madeira
São João da Pesqueira World Heritage Site
São Pedro do Sul Spas
Sátão
Sernancelhe
Sever do Vouga
Soure Spas
Tábua Spas
Tabuaço World Heritage Site
Tarouca N.M.: Monastery of São João de Tarouca
Tondela Spas
Vagos Fishery; bullfighting
Vale de Cambra
Vila Nova de Paiva
Vila Nova de Poiares Bullfighting
Viseu
Vouzela Scenery
Entre Douro e Minho Amarante Spas
Amares Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Rendufe
Arcos de Valdevez
Baião
Barcelos
Braga N.M.: Monastery of Tibães, Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios, Cathedral of Braga
Cabeceiras de Basto
Caminha Fishery; N.M.: First Church of Caminha
Celorico de Basto
Esposende Fishery
Fafe
Felgueiras N.M.: Monastery of Pombeiro
Guimarães Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Palace of the Duckes of Bragança, Castle of Guimarães, Church of São Miguel do Castelo
Lousada
Marco de Canaveses Spas; N.M.: Pre-Historic and Roman ruins of Tongobriga
Melgaço Scenery; spas
Monção Scenery; spas
Paços de Ferreira
Paredes
Paredes de Coura
Penafiel Spas
Ponte da Barca
Ponte de Lima Scenery; mountains
Póvoa de Lanhoso
Santo Tirso Spas
Terras de Bouro Scenery; mountains; spas
Trofa
Valença
Viana do Castelo Fishery, N.M.: Citânia de Santa Luzia
Vieira do Minho Mountains
Vila Nova de Cerveira Pousada
Vila Nova de Famalicão
Vila Verde
Vizela
Lisbon Metropolitan Area
pt. Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
Alcochete Scenery; bullfighting
Almada Scenery; fishery
Amadora
Azambuja Bullfighting
Barreiro
Cascais Scenery; fishery
Lisbon
pt. Lisboa
Bullfighting; World Heritage Sites; N.M.: National Palace of Ajuda, Library of Ajuda, Tower of São Vicente de Belém, Monastery of Jenónimos, Cathedral of Lisbon, Church of São Vicente de Fora, Church of Santa Eugrácia and National Panteon
Loures
Mafra Fishery; N.M.: Palace and Convent of Mafra
Moita Bullfighting
Montijo Bullfighting
Odivelas
Oeiras
Palmela Pousada
Sesimbra Scenery; fishery
Setúbal Scenery; fishery; bullfighting; Pousada
Seixal
Sintra Scenery; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Sintra
Vila Franca de Xira Scenery; bullfighting
Madeira Islands
pt. Arquipélago da Madeira
Calheta (Madeira), Madeira Island
Câmara De Lobos, Madeira Island
Funchal, Madeira Island Scenery; mountains; World Heritage Site
Machico, Madeira Island World Heritage Site
Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island
Porto Moniz, Madeira Island
Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island Scenery
Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island Scenery
Santa Cruz, Madeira Island
Santana, Madeira Island World Heritage Site
São Vicente, Madeira Island World Heritage Site
Desertas Islands
pt. Ilhas Desertas
Savage Islands
pt. Ilhas Selvagens
Porto Metropolitan Area
pt. Área Metropolitana do Porto
Espinho Fishery
Maia
Matosinhos Fishery
Gondomar
Porto World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Porto
Póvoa de Varzim Fishery; bullfighting
Valongo Scenery
Vila do Conde Fishery
Vila Nova de Gaia Scenery; N.M.: Monastery of Grijó
Ribatejo e Oeste Abrantes
Alcanena Scenery
Alenquer Scenery
Almeirim Bullfighting
Alcobaça Scenery; spas; fishery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Alcobaça
Alpiarça
Alvaiázere
Ansião
Arruda dos Vinhos Bullfighting
Batalha World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Batalha
Benavente Scenery; bullfighting
Bombarral
Cadaval Scenery; mountains
Caldas da Rainha Spas, fishery
Cartaxo Bullfighting
Castanheira de Pera Mountains
Chamusca
Constância
Coruche Scenery
Entroncamento
Figueiró dos Vinhos Mountains
Ferreira do Zêzere Mountains
Golegã Scenery; bullfighting; N.M.: First Church of Golegã
Leiria Spas, fishery
Lourinhã Fishery
Mação Spas
Marinha Grande Fishery
Nazaré Fishery
Óbidos Pousada
Ourém Scenery; spas
Pedrogão Grande Scenery
Peniche Scenery; fishery
Pombal Bullfighting
Porto de Mós Scenery; N.M.: Chapel of São Jorge
Rio Maior
Salvaterra de Magos
Santarém Scenery; bullfighting; N.M.: Church of Santa maria da Graça de Santarém
Sardoal
Sobral de Monte Agraço
Tomar World Heritage Site; N.M.: Convent of Christ
Torres Novas Scenery
Torres Vedras Spas; fishery
Vila Nova da Barquinha Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Almourol
Trás-os-Montes Alfândega da Fé
Alijó Bullfighting; World Heritage Site
Boticas Spas
Bragança
Carrazeda de Ansiães Mountains; spas; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Castle of Ansiães
Chaves Mountains; spas; N.M.: Castle of Monforte
Freixo de Espada à Cinta Scenery; N.M.: First Church of Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Macedo de Cavaleiros Scenery
Mesão Frio Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada
Miranda do Douro
mirandese Miranda de l Douro
N.M.: Church of Miranda
Mirandela
Mogadouro
Moncorvo Scenery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: First Church of Torre de Moncorvo
Mondim de Basto
Montalegre Scenery; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Montalegre
Murça Spas
Peso da Régua Spas; World Heritage Site
Ribeira de Pena
Sabrosa Mountains; World Heritage Site
Santa Marta de Penaguião World Heritage Site
Valpaços
Vila Flor Spas
Vila Pouca de Aguiar Spas
Vila Real Scenery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Vila Real, Roman Sanctuary of Panóias
Vimioso
mirandese Bimioso
Vinhais Scenery; mountains

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