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Wikipedia

Valença, Portugal

April 12, 2024

Valença (Portuguese pronunciation: [vɐˈlẽsɐ] ⓘ), also known as Valença do Minho, is a municipality and a town in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 14,127,[1] in an area of 117.13 km2.[2]

Valença
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Location of Valença
Coordinates: 42°01′N 8°38′W / 42.017°N 8.633°W / 42.017; -8.633
Country Portugal
RegionNorte
Intermunic. comm.Alto Minho
DistrictViana do Castelo
Parishes11
Government
 • PresidentJosé Manuel Carpinteira (PS)
Area
 • Total117.13 km2 (45.22 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total14,127
 • Density120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Websitehttp://www.cm-valenca.pt

Valença officially became a city on 12 June 2009. The municipality is located in Viana do Castelo District. The present Mayor is Jorge Mendes, elected by the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The municipal holiday is 18 February.

Parishes edit

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes (freguesias):[3]

  • Boivão
  • Cerdal
  • Fontoura
  • Friestas
  • Gandra e Taião
  • Ganfei
  • Gondomil e Sanfins
  • São Julião e Silva
  • São Pedro da Torre
  • Valença, Cristelo Covo e Arão
  • Verdoejo

General information edit

Valença is a walled town located on the left bank of Minho River, approximately 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean. The municipality is limited to the north with Minho River establishing the border with Spain, to south-southeast with the municipality of Paredes de Coura, to southwest with Vila Nova de Cerveira and to the east with Monção. Linked to the wall rises the new quarter, where buildings such as social facilities, schools, the stadium and sports centre, the health care centre, the municipal market and the municipal swimming pools are located. Concerning cuisine, Valença offers genuine delicacies such as Lampreia à Minhota (lamprey), Cabrito à Sanfins (kid), Bacalhau à São Teotónio (dried codfish) and Empanada (meat or fish pie).

History edit

Valença origins date back from Roman times. The two existent Roman roads are the proof (the Via IV of Antonine Itinerary XIX, of military use, and the designated per loca marítima - Itinerary XX -, of commercial use). Also inside the fortified walls a Roman milestone marks the XLII mile of the road connecting Braga to Tui. This stronghold was populated by order of King Sancho I during the 12th century. It was called Contrasta which means "village opposed to another", Tui (Spain) in this case. King Afonso III changed its name to Valença in the 13th century. Its historical importance is mainly due to military constraints. It had a decisive role for the defense and integrity of Portugal from neighbouring Spain. Today the town is peacefully invaded by the Spanish that visit it for commercial and touristic purposes. The Portuguese still use the fortress.

Attractions edit

 
The fortress
  • The fortress
The most interesting things to visit are mainly inside the fortress that looks down to the Minho River and Galicia. They have been destroyed several times whether it were the Barbarians, the Moors, the armies of Asturias and Leon or even the French troops in the 19th century, they have always been restored and still very well preserved.
Valença's fortress is a piece of gothic and baroque military architecture. The first walls were built in the 13th century. It was upgraded during the 17th and 18th century forming the present bulwarked system. It is placed on top of two small hills and it is formed by two polygons (the Recinto Magistral and the Coroada) separated by a ditch and with four doors (Coroada, Gaviarra, Fonte da Vila and Sol). The main entrance is Porta do Sol (Sun's door). This door was damaged during the Napoleonic invasions.
 
The old international bridge
  • The old international bridge
In 1879 Portugal and Spain agreed to construct a bi-functional (road and train) bridge. The bridge was inspired by Eiffel works. The bridge is still in use although a new bridge was built south of the older one.
  • Roman milestone
Located inside the fortress this Roman milestone dates back from the 1st century AD. It has the following inscription:
TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS CAESER AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS. IMPERATOR V CONSUL III, TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE III. PATER PATRIAE BRACARA XLII.
It marks 42 Roman miles' (62 km) distance on the road from Braga to Tui and the Emperor Claudius ordered its construction when the Via IV of Antonine was rebuilt.
 
Statue of São Teotónio
A romanic church built during the 13th century and a neo-classic rebuilt during the 18th century. Inside several panels representing scenes Saint Stephen life can be admired.
Romanic church built during the 12th century. The popular decoration and the ceiling are the eye-catcher.
  • The cannons
Along the north wall several old cannons very well maintained are positioned pointing to the river and Galicia as if to remind of their old purpose.
  • Statue of São Teotónio
São Teotónio was the first Portuguese saint. Born near Valença, in Ganfei, he was the confessor of King Afonso Henriques. He is the village patron saint.

Photo gallery edit

  •  
    Inside the fortified walls
  •  
    View over Minho River
  •  
    Door entrance of the fortified walls
  •  
    Cannon
  •  
    Monument of Charles Lindbergh in Friestas, Valença

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. ^ Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país
  3. ^ Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 125" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 4 August 2014.

External links edit

 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Valença (Portugal).
  • Municipality official website
  • Pousada Valença do Minho
  • Quinta Grande Raposeira
  • - Website in Portuguese
  • Parque Empresarial de Valença - Website in Portuguese
  • - Website in Portuguese
  • - Local buses and buses to Porto
  • Autna Bus Company- Buses to and from Vigo (Spain).

April 12, 2024
valença, portugal, valença, portuguese, pronunciation, vɐˈlẽsɐ, also, known, valença, minho, municipality, town, portugal, population, 2011, area, valençamunicipalityflagcoat, armslocation, valençacoordinates, 633country, portugalregionnorteintermunic, comm, a. Valenca Portuguese pronunciation vɐˈlẽsɐ also known as Valenca do Minho is a municipality and a town in Portugal The population in 2011 was 14 127 1 in an area of 117 13 km2 2 ValencaMunicipalityFlagCoat of armsLocation of ValencaCoordinates 42 01 N 8 38 W 42 017 N 8 633 W 42 017 8 633Country PortugalRegionNorteIntermunic comm Alto MinhoDistrictViana do CasteloParishes11Government PresidentJose Manuel Carpinteira PS Area Total117 13 km2 45 22 sq mi Population 2011 Total14 127 Density120 km2 310 sq mi Time zoneUTC 00 00 WET Summer DST UTC 01 00 WEST Websitehttp www cm valenca ptValenca officially became a city on 12 June 2009 The municipality is located in Viana do Castelo District The present Mayor is Jorge Mendes elected by the Social Democratic Party PSD The municipal holiday is 18 February Contents 1 Parishes 2 General information 3 History 4 Attractions 5 Photo gallery 6 Notable people 7 References 8 External linksParishes editAdministratively the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes freguesias 3 Boivao Cerdal Fontoura Friestas Gandra e Taiao Ganfei Gondomil e Sanfins Sao Juliao e Silva Sao Pedro da Torre Valenca Cristelo Covo e Arao VerdoejoGeneral information editValenca is a walled town located on the left bank of Minho River approximately 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean The municipality is limited to the north with Minho River establishing the border with Spain to south southeast with the municipality of Paredes de Coura to southwest with Vila Nova de Cerveira and to the east with Moncao Linked to the wall rises the new quarter where buildings such as social facilities schools the stadium and sports centre the health care centre the municipal market and the municipal swimming pools are located Concerning cuisine Valenca offers genuine delicacies such as Lampreia a Minhota lamprey Cabrito a Sanfins kid Bacalhau a Sao Teotonio dried codfish and Empanada meat or fish pie History editValenca origins date back from Roman times The two existent Roman roads are the proof the Via IV of Antonine Itinerary XIX of military use and the designated per loca maritima Itinerary XX of commercial use Also inside the fortified walls a Roman milestone marks the XLII mile of the road connecting Braga to Tui This stronghold was populated by order of King Sancho I during the 12th century It was called Contrasta which means village opposed to another Tui Spain in this case King Afonso III changed its name to Valenca in the 13th century Its historical importance is mainly due to military constraints It had a decisive role for the defense and integrity of Portugal from neighbouring Spain Today the town is peacefully invaded by the Spanish that visit it for commercial and touristic purposes The Portuguese still use the fortress Attractions edit nbsp The fortressThe fortressThe most interesting things to visit are mainly inside the fortress that looks down to the Minho River and Galicia They have been destroyed several times whether it were the Barbarians the Moors the armies of Asturias and Leon or even the French troops in the 19th century they have always been restored and still very well preserved Valenca s fortress is a piece of gothic and baroque military architecture The first walls were built in the 13th century It was upgraded during the 17th and 18th century forming the present bulwarked system It is placed on top of two small hills and it is formed by two polygons the Recinto Magistral and the Coroada separated by a ditch and with four doors Coroada Gaviarra Fonte da Vila and Sol The main entrance is Porta do Sol Sun s door This door was damaged during the Napoleonic invasions nbsp The old international bridgeThe old international bridgeIn 1879 Portugal and Spain agreed to construct a bi functional road and train bridge The bridge was inspired by Eiffel works The bridge is still in use although a new bridge was built south of the older one Roman milestoneLocated inside the fortress this Roman milestone dates back from the 1st century AD It has the following inscription TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS CAESER AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS IMPERATOR V CONSUL III TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE III PATER PATRIAE BRACARA XLII It marks 42 Roman miles 62 km distance on the road from Braga to Tui and the Emperor Claudius ordered its construction when the Via IV of Antonine was rebuilt nbsp Statue of Sao TeotonioChurch of Saint StephenA romanic church built during the 13th century and a neo classic rebuilt during the 18th century Inside several panels representing scenes Saint Stephen life can be admired Church of Saint Mary of AngelsRomanic church built during the 12th century The popular decoration and the ceiling are the eye catcher The cannonsAlong the north wall several old cannons very well maintained are positioned pointing to the river and Galicia as if to remind of their old purpose Statue of Sao TeotonioSao Teotonio was the first Portuguese saint Born near Valenca in Ganfei he was the confessor of King Afonso Henriques He is the village patron saint Photo gallery edit nbsp Inside the fortified walls nbsp View over Minho River nbsp Door entrance of the fortified walls nbsp Cannon nbsp Monument of Charles Lindbergh in Friestas ValencaNotable people editTheotonius of Coimbra ca 1082 1162 Sao Teotonio a Canon Regular royal advisor and the first Portuguese saint Francisco Xavier da Silva Pereira 1st Count of Antas 1793 1852 a nobleman and a soldier during the Liberal Wars Antonio Sampaio da Novoa born 1954 an academic professor and unsuccessful independent candidate in the 2016 Portuguese presidential election Ines Fernandes born 1988 a Portuguese Paralympic athleteReferences edit Instituto Nacional de Estatistica Areas das freguesias concelhos distritos e pais Diario da Republica Law nr 11 A 2013 page 552 125 pdf in Portuguese Retrieved 4 August 2014 External links edit nbsp Portugal portal nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Valenca Portugal Municipality official website Pousada Valenca do Minho Casa do Poco Palace Quinta Grande Raposeira Escola Secundaria de Valenca Valenca High School Website in Portuguese Parque Empresarial de Valenca Website in Portuguese Valenca Radio 91 7 Website in Portuguese A V Minho Bus Company Local buses and buses to Porto Autna Bus Company Buses to and from Vigo Spain Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Valenca Portugal amp oldid 1185853904, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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