Alcântara (Lisbon)
Encyclopedia
Alcântara (aɫˈkɐ̃tɐɾɐ) is a civil parish of the city and municipality of Lisbon
. Its name is derived from the Arabic
(القنطارة), meaning the bridge, and refers to an ancient Roman
bridge that once existed there, until the reign of John V. Located in the southwestern corner of Lisbon, along the northern margin of the Tagus River, Alcântara had a population of 14443 inhabitants (2001) within an area of 4.44 km² (its density was approximately 3252 residents per square kilometre).
era, have been discovered on the margins of Alcãntra ravine, in addition other signs in the area of Alvito
and Tapada da Ajuda indicate a level of occupation in the Neolithic
and Chalcolithic periods. Around 1300, Bronze Age
farmers and shepards established small villages in this area, with a subsistence economy based on the cultivation of cereal crops and herding.
During Roman era, the local area was called Horta Navia in honour of Roman divinity, Nabia
(a goddess of rivers and water). The area was notable for a Roman bridge, that crossed the Alcântara ravine, and, following the Muslim occupation, the area began to be referred to in terms of this bridge. The name Alcântra, derived from the Arab al-qantara (القنطارة) means bridge.
of Lisbon (1147), the lands in became integrated into the Reguengos de Ribamar that included terrains that extended from the Alcântara ravine until the Laje ravine in Oeiras. After the 13th century, the Reguengos was divided into two and the area of Alcântra were attributed, in gratitude by the King, to the nobility, religious orders or military. In 1147, Alcântara was dispersely populated, owing to the fertile lands many of the terrains became domains of the Kings, and estates of nobility. Yet, Alcântara became a battlefield between Portugal and Castile
, which included intrigues involving King Ferdinand
and conflicts with the Kingdom of Castile after his death.
In March 1382, an armada under the authority of John I of Castile
entered the Tagus estuary, but unable to crack the defenses, the force advanced inland attacking, sacking and stealing cattle. King Ferdinand quickly substituted the frontier commander with António, Prior of Crato
. Later, the death of King Sebastian
at the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir resulted in a crisis in dynastic succession between António, Prior of Crato, Catherine, Duchess of Braganza
and Phillip II of Spain. From a military perspective, in order to limit support for António title to the Crown, Phillip II determined to invade Portugal and cement his claim to the throne. Forces from Badajoz
and a Spanish fleet from Cadiz
, crossed the Caia ravine on 28 June 1580, where they began their invasion. António, Prior of Crato decided to concentrate his defense in Alcântara along the Caia ravine, where a double line of defense supported 36 carracks and nine galleons. The Portuguese troops had a static defense and could not resist a flanking move, which would result in the loss of the battle and of Portuguese independence for the next 60 years.
In the 15th century, the rock quarries in Alcântara, which mined lime
, contributed to the development of the locality (along with the ovens of Cais do Sodré
), while orchards and vineyards along the ravines helped to diversify the regional economy.
A hospital was constructed in 1520, in the garden of Jerónimo de Eça (Horta Navia) in order to combat the plague that attacked the city. Yet, the plague did not impede nobles from constructing estates along the Tagus; Alcântara was situated near the borders with the parish of Ajuda, an extension of the nobility. A Chapel to the invocation of Santo Amaro was begun in 1549, resulting in a temple to serve as a sacristy for many of the pilgrims that crossed the territory.
of Lisbon, comprising mostly farm
s and palace
s. In the 16th century, there was a brook there which the nobles used to promenade in their boats. As a result of the 1755 Earthquake
and tsunami
, the King and his government moved to the zone of Alcântara, attracting with them the nobility, functionaries, municipal officials and those that lived alongside them, including artists, merchants and artisans. The registries during this era were full of references to families of the upper and lower nobility who began to live in this zone, alongside the socially deprived and poor that already existed.
After the French Invasions, agriculture and industry were completely paralyzed. The Liberal Wars
, that followed, worsened these conditions, alongside with the eastern portions of Lisbon, principally along the ravine between Alcântara and Pedrouços. The accentuated industrialization continued to dominate the valley, which included numerous metal-stampers and tanneries, that lasted until the late 19th century, resulting in many small factories
and warehouse
s.
Public transport developed after Lisbon in 1860, when the area had many factories. Yet, until 1888, these services were out of range of many of the working-class of the area. The improvements in public transit contributed to the development of the barrio of Alcântara.
On 2 April 1887, a railline between Alcântara-Terra and Sintra was inaugurated. Extending until the station at Alcântara-Mar, in 1891 the rail-line was completed after public sanitation works along the beach in Alcântara (1876), which resulted in the recovery of an additional 500 meters of land from the Tagus River, which were quickly expropriated by factories, docks and warehouses.
Between 1884 and 1886, the barrios of Santo Amaro and Calvário began to develop as social housing, from lands reserved from the old Quinta da Ninfa. The lots were allocated to residents in commemoration of the 300 year anniversary of Luís Vaz de Camões.
The precarious nature of the economic conditions in the region resulted in several conflicts, including many strikes, conflicts and insurrections, such as the June 1872 event, that came to be known as the "A Pavorosa". Later, the Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, the largest and most modern metallurgical business until the 1920s, operated in Alcântara, which also created dissent and conflict. On various occasions, in 1886, in 1894 and most importantly in 1903 there were strikes, protests and conflicts between the workers and the residents of the region. The 1903 strike began on 7 December to protest the imposition a foreign director. On 17 December the strikers, numbering hundreds, fought the police in Santo Amaro.
Around the early 1990s, Alcântara started to become a place for pubs and discotheques, mainly because its outer area is mostly commercial, and the noise generated at night, and the "movida", would not disturb its residents. Today, some of these areas are slowly being taken over by loft developments and new apartment
s that can profit from its river views and central location.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
. Its name is derived from the Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
(القنطارة), meaning the bridge, and refers to an ancient Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
bridge that once existed there, until the reign of John V. Located in the southwestern corner of Lisbon, along the northern margin of the Tagus River, Alcântara had a population of 14443 inhabitants (2001) within an area of 4.44 km² (its density was approximately 3252 residents per square kilometre).
History
The territory that comprises Alcântra was occupied early; primitive utensils from the PaleolithicPaleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
era, have been discovered on the margins of Alcãntra ravine, in addition other signs in the area of Alvito
Alvito
Alvito is a town and comune in central Italy, in the province of Frosinone, south of Rome in the Lazio region. Its home to one of the oldest Italian castles.-History:...
and Tapada da Ajuda indicate a level of occupation in the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
and Chalcolithic periods. Around 1300, Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
farmers and shepards established small villages in this area, with a subsistence economy based on the cultivation of cereal crops and herding.
During Roman era, the local area was called Horta Navia in honour of Roman divinity, Nabia
Nabia
Nabia was the goddess of rivers and water in Gallaecian and Lusitanian mythology, in the territory of modern Galicia and Portugal.The present-day Navia River and Avia_ in Galicia, was named in honor of the deity...
(a goddess of rivers and water). The area was notable for a Roman bridge, that crossed the Alcântara ravine, and, following the Muslim occupation, the area began to be referred to in terms of this bridge. The name Alcântra, derived from the Arab al-qantara (القنطارة) means bridge.
Medieval
After the ReconquistaReconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
of Lisbon (1147), the lands in became integrated into the Reguengos de Ribamar that included terrains that extended from the Alcântara ravine until the Laje ravine in Oeiras. After the 13th century, the Reguengos was divided into two and the area of Alcântra were attributed, in gratitude by the King, to the nobility, religious orders or military. In 1147, Alcântara was dispersely populated, owing to the fertile lands many of the terrains became domains of the Kings, and estates of nobility. Yet, Alcântara became a battlefield between Portugal and Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
, which included intrigues involving King Ferdinand
Ferdinand I of Portugal
Ferdinand I , sometimes referred to as the Handsome or rarely as the Inconstant , was the ninth King of Portugal and the Algarve, the second son of Peter I and his wife, Constance of Castile...
and conflicts with the Kingdom of Castile after his death.
In March 1382, an armada under the authority of John I of Castile
John I of Castile
John I was the king of Crown of Castile, was the son of Henry II and of his wife Juana Manuel of Castile, daughter of Juan Manuel, Prince of Villena, head of a younger branch of the royal house of Castile...
entered the Tagus estuary, but unable to crack the defenses, the force advanced inland attacking, sacking and stealing cattle. King Ferdinand quickly substituted the frontier commander with António, Prior of Crato
António, Prior of Crato
António, Prior of Crato , was a grandson of King Manuel I of Portugal, claimant of the Portuguese throne during the 1580 dynastic crisis, who was King of Portugal as António I of Portugal during 33 days in the continent in 1580, and, after the crowning of Philip II of Spain as King of Portugal,...
. Later, the death of King Sebastian
Sebastian of Portugal
Sebastian "the Desired" was the 16th king of Portugal and the Algarves. He was the son of Prince John of Portugal and his wife, Joan of Spain...
at the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir resulted in a crisis in dynastic succession between António, Prior of Crato, Catherine, Duchess of Braganza
Catherine, Duchess of Braganza
Infanta Catherine of Guimarães, Duchess of Braganza by marriage was a Portuguese infanta claimant to the throne following the death of King Henry of Portugal in 1580....
and Phillip II of Spain. From a military perspective, in order to limit support for António title to the Crown, Phillip II determined to invade Portugal and cement his claim to the throne. Forces from Badajoz
Badajoz
Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain, situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana, and the Madrid–Lisbon railway. The population in 2007 was 145,257....
and a Spanish fleet from Cadiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
, crossed the Caia ravine on 28 June 1580, where they began their invasion. António, Prior of Crato decided to concentrate his defense in Alcântara along the Caia ravine, where a double line of defense supported 36 carracks and nine galleons. The Portuguese troops had a static defense and could not resist a flanking move, which would result in the loss of the battle and of Portuguese independence for the next 60 years.
In the 15th century, the rock quarries in Alcântara, which mined lime
Calcium oxide
Calcium oxide , commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound. It is a white, caustic, alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature....
, contributed to the development of the locality (along with the ovens of Cais do Sodré
Cais do Sodré
Cais do Sodré is the railway station in Lisbon, Portugal, serving westbound suburban route to Cascais resort. It is adjacent to the Lisbon Metro station of the same name which is the terminus for subway's Green Line...
), while orchards and vineyards along the ravines helped to diversify the regional economy.
A hospital was constructed in 1520, in the garden of Jerónimo de Eça (Horta Navia) in order to combat the plague that attacked the city. Yet, the plague did not impede nobles from constructing estates along the Tagus; Alcântara was situated near the borders with the parish of Ajuda, an extension of the nobility. A Chapel to the invocation of Santo Amaro was begun in 1549, resulting in a temple to serve as a sacristy for many of the pilgrims that crossed the territory.
Monarchy
Although today it is quite central, it was once a mere suburbSuburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Lisbon, comprising mostly farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
s and palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
s. In the 16th century, there was a brook there which the nobles used to promenade in their boats. As a result of the 1755 Earthquake
1755 Lisbon earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and...
and tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
, the King and his government moved to the zone of Alcântara, attracting with them the nobility, functionaries, municipal officials and those that lived alongside them, including artists, merchants and artisans. The registries during this era were full of references to families of the upper and lower nobility who began to live in this zone, alongside the socially deprived and poor that already existed.
After the French Invasions, agriculture and industry were completely paralyzed. The Liberal Wars
Liberal Wars
The Liberal Wars, also known as the Portuguese Civil War, the War of the Two Brothers, or Miguelite War, was a war between progressive constitutionalists and authoritarian absolutists in Portugal over royal succession that lasted from 1828 to 1834...
, that followed, worsened these conditions, alongside with the eastern portions of Lisbon, principally along the ravine between Alcântara and Pedrouços. The accentuated industrialization continued to dominate the valley, which included numerous metal-stampers and tanneries, that lasted until the late 19th century, resulting in many small factories
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
and warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
s.
Industrialization
The members of the Ratton family, between 1807 and 1824, attempted to construct in Calvário a mill powered by steampower (but were successful), in addition to a porcelin factory. The Ratton's later established an estate in Calvário, alongside their Fábrica de Lanifícios Daupias de Pedro Daupias in 1839, under the management of Jácome Ratton. Near this factory, towards Santo Amaro a textile factory, Companhia de Fiação de Tecidos Lisbonense, was also constructed (1846–1855). Since 1876, a great part of the urbanized part of Alcântara was delimited by Calçada da Tapada and Calçada de Santo Amaro in the north, and in the east and south by Rua de Alcântara, Largo do Calvário and Rua 1º de Maio. During the middle of the 19th century, some factories linked to chemical production (soap, candles, olive and other oils) installed themselves in the same area, transforming the area of Calvário, which was an area of farms, palaces and convents into an important industrial zone. The industrial area south of Largo do Calvário and the old Rua de São Joaquim were converted and expanded to take on the new roles.Public transport developed after Lisbon in 1860, when the area had many factories. Yet, until 1888, these services were out of range of many of the working-class of the area. The improvements in public transit contributed to the development of the barrio of Alcântara.
On 2 April 1887, a railline between Alcântara-Terra and Sintra was inaugurated. Extending until the station at Alcântara-Mar, in 1891 the rail-line was completed after public sanitation works along the beach in Alcântara (1876), which resulted in the recovery of an additional 500 meters of land from the Tagus River, which were quickly expropriated by factories, docks and warehouses.
Between 1884 and 1886, the barrios of Santo Amaro and Calvário began to develop as social housing, from lands reserved from the old Quinta da Ninfa. The lots were allocated to residents in commemoration of the 300 year anniversary of Luís Vaz de Camões.
The precarious nature of the economic conditions in the region resulted in several conflicts, including many strikes, conflicts and insurrections, such as the June 1872 event, that came to be known as the "A Pavorosa". Later, the Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, the largest and most modern metallurgical business until the 1920s, operated in Alcântara, which also created dissent and conflict. On various occasions, in 1886, in 1894 and most importantly in 1903 there were strikes, protests and conflicts between the workers and the residents of the region. The 1903 strike began on 7 December to protest the imposition a foreign director. On 17 December the strikers, numbering hundreds, fought the police in Santo Amaro.
20th century
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
s that can profit from its river views and central location.