Aldeia do Mato
Encyclopedia
Aldeia do Mato is a Portuguese
civil parish, located in the municipality
of Abrantes
, in Santarém District. In 2001, the parish had about 560 inhabitants and an area of 31.4 km² (a density of less than 18 inhabitants per km²; it is the eighth largest parish in area and least populous (while 17th in population density).
for hamlet of the hinterland). It was also recognized for the land rents obtained from cultivation and harvesting of olive and pine trees.
The parochial church, dedicated to Santa Maria Madalena
had its origin in the 18th century.
A marble cross was located near the two fountains of São João and São José, and later restored in 1850.
The construction of the Castelo do Bode Dam in 1951, caused the disappearance of the fields of olive trees which were lost to make way for the new reservoir.
(to the northeast and east), Martinchel
(to the west), São Vicente
(in the east) and Rio de Moinhos (along the west) and with the municipalities of Tomar
(to the north) and Constância
(to the east).
but gradually eucalyptus
, for its rapid growth.
Locally, the annual festival season is marked by the festival of Aldeia do Mato (on the last weekend of July), Cabeça Gorda (the second weekend of August), and the festival of Carreira do Mato (fourth weekend in August).
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
civil parish, located in the municipality
Municipalities of Portugal
In Portugal, municipality or concelho is the most stable subdivision of Portugal since the foundation of the country.Portugal has an entirely separate system of cities and towns. Cities and towns are located in municipalities, but often do not have the same boundaries, even if built-up is continuous...
of Abrantes
Abrantes
Abrantes is a municipality in Portugal, with a population of 41,560 inhabitants, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River.-History:...
, in Santarém District. In 2001, the parish had about 560 inhabitants and an area of 31.4 km² (a density of less than 18 inhabitants per km²; it is the eighth largest parish in area and least populous (while 17th in population density).
History
The parish had its beginning in the 13th century, when the area was then referred to as Aldeia da Mata, and recognized for the quantity of wood gathered in the district (aldeia da mata is PortuguesePortuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
for hamlet of the hinterland). It was also recognized for the land rents obtained from cultivation and harvesting of olive and pine trees.
The parochial church, dedicated to Santa Maria Madalena
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
had its origin in the 18th century.
A marble cross was located near the two fountains of São João and São José, and later restored in 1850.
The construction of the Castelo do Bode Dam in 1951, caused the disappearance of the fields of olive trees which were lost to make way for the new reservoir.
Geography
The parish is located in the northeastern part of the municipality, neighbouring the parishes of SoutoSouto (Abrantes)
Souto is a Portuguese civil parish located in the municipality of Abrantes, in the old district of Santarém in central Portugal. In 2001, the parish had a population of 567 inhabitants, spread across an area of 15.02 km².-History:...
(to the northeast and east), Martinchel
Martinchel
Martinchel is a Portuguese parish, located in Abrantes Municipality, in Santarém District. The parish has a population of 713 inhabitants and a total area of 17.10 km²....
(to the west), São Vicente
São Vicente (Abrantes)
São Vicente is a Portuguese civil parish, located in municipality of Abrantes, in the older Santarém District, and which includes the northern part of the city of Abrantes...
(in the east) and Rio de Moinhos (along the west) and with the municipalities of Tomar
Tomar
Tomar Municipality has a total area of 351.0 km² and a total population of 43,007 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Santarém District...
(to the north) and Constância
Constância
Constância is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 80.4 km² and a total population of 3796 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 3 parishes, and is located in Santarém District....
(to the east).
Ecoregions/Protected areas
- Parque Náutico de Recreio e Lazer da Aldeia do Mato (Recreational and Leisure Nautical Park of Aldeia do Mato) - Open from 1 May to 31 October, the Castelo do Bode Reservoir is one of the larger watersheds in the country (60km extension), and its dam (fed by the Zêzere River), in addition to producing electrical power, has been the centre of the community since it was constructed, primarily as a leisure playground. The Parque Náutico de Recreio e Lazer da Aldeia do Mato (Recreational and Leisure Nautical Park of Aldeia do Mato) has attracted tourists from with the country for its biodiversity (that includes wild pine, eucalyptus, strawberry tree, heatherEricaceaeThe Ericaceae, commonly known as the heath or heather family, is a group of mostly calcifuge flowering plants. The family is large, with roughly 4000 species spread across 126 genera, making it the 14th most speciose family of flowering plants...
, olive trees), water sports (swimming, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing), and recent developments that have attracted new tourists, including hiking trails, motocrossing, repelling and other trips orientated towards the more adventurous;- Beach of Cabeça Gorda;
- Beach of Bairro Fundeiro
- Beach of Aldeia do Mato
Economy
Between 50-60 percent of the lands in the parish remain dedicated to cultivation of trees for harvesting, primarily pinePine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
but gradually eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
, for its rapid growth.
Religious
- Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria Madalena (Matriz Church of Santa Maria Madalena) - constructed in the 18th century and dedicated to Mary Magdalene;
- Igreja do Sagrado Coração de Maria (Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary) - located in Carreira do Mato;
- Igreja da Pucariça
Culture
The region is known for its culinary, and in addition to several restaurants, the local peoples of the region are known for their broas de santos and bolo de fugas.Locally, the annual festival season is marked by the festival of Aldeia do Mato (on the last weekend of July), Cabeça Gorda (the second weekend of August), and the festival of Carreira do Mato (fourth weekend in August).