Cabeção
Encyclopedia
Cabeção is a Portuguese
village
, located in Mora Municipality in the Alto Alentejo Subregion
, with an area of 47,44 km² and 1,259 inhabitants (2001). Population density
: 26.5 h/km². For a time it was the seat of local government in the immediate area between 1395 e 1836.
The village is surrounded on the three sides by woodland, much of which is made up by a celebrated forest of pine trees known locally as the "pinhal": part of the national forest of Portugal. Dense plantations of pine trees lie to the East and the West of the village on higher ground. Linking these is an area of mixed woodland consisting of Cork Oaks, Holm Oaks and vineyards. This area is also on higher ground.
The southern flank of the village is marked by the river Raia, beyond which is open pasture and a line of hills that make up the southern side of the river valley. Some 60 metres or so wide, the river hosts international Sport fishing events along its banks at Cabeção, attracting teams from across Europe. A little further downstream and approximately 2 km from the centre of the village lies the Gameiro Ecological Park: a wider expanse of water where it's possible to enjoy a number of outdoor activities including camping and canoeing.
Integrated into this park is Mora Fluviarium: a building of recognised architectural significance and home to an impressive collection of freshwater aquatic species. Mora Fluviarium is well known within Portugal and continues to attract visitors to Cabeção from Portugal and Spain. The centre also enjoys academic and technical links with Lisbon Oceanarium and the University of Évora and is of significant importance to regional tourism, the ecology of the region and the local economy, particularly to that of the nearby village of Cabeção.
During the late twentieth century the village, like many in rural Portugal, has suffered a decline in population as its inhabitants have moved to the coastal cities to find employment. Others have found work further afield in other European countries such as France. More recently many have found work in the United Kingdom, particularly in the Epsom area. It's not unusual to hear a native of the village speaking English with an accent typical of England's Home Counties. During the summer holidays, many former villagers who are now based elsewhere in Europe return to their Portuguese roots, swelling the population considerably.
, made in small wine cellar
s and clay vases, using traditional methods.
Part of the location is integrated into the Natura 2000
network, due to its importance as a natural habitat and source of biodiversity
.
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...
village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
, located in Mora Municipality in the Alto Alentejo Subregion
Alto Alentejo Subregion
Alto Alentejo is a NUTS3 subregion of the Alentejo Region, in Portugal. It consists of 15 concelhos. It has a total area of 6,230 km² and a population of 127,025 ; thus 20,3 people/km².The chief city is Portalegre...
, with an area of 47,44 km² and 1,259 inhabitants (2001). Population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
: 26.5 h/km². For a time it was the seat of local government in the immediate area between 1395 e 1836.
The village is surrounded on the three sides by woodland, much of which is made up by a celebrated forest of pine trees known locally as the "pinhal": part of the national forest of Portugal. Dense plantations of pine trees lie to the East and the West of the village on higher ground. Linking these is an area of mixed woodland consisting of Cork Oaks, Holm Oaks and vineyards. This area is also on higher ground.
The southern flank of the village is marked by the river Raia, beyond which is open pasture and a line of hills that make up the southern side of the river valley. Some 60 metres or so wide, the river hosts international Sport fishing events along its banks at Cabeção, attracting teams from across Europe. A little further downstream and approximately 2 km from the centre of the village lies the Gameiro Ecological Park: a wider expanse of water where it's possible to enjoy a number of outdoor activities including camping and canoeing.
Integrated into this park is Mora Fluviarium: a building of recognised architectural significance and home to an impressive collection of freshwater aquatic species. Mora Fluviarium is well known within Portugal and continues to attract visitors to Cabeção from Portugal and Spain. The centre also enjoys academic and technical links with Lisbon Oceanarium and the University of Évora and is of significant importance to regional tourism, the ecology of the region and the local economy, particularly to that of the nearby village of Cabeção.
Municipal Holiday
Cabeção's municipal holiday coincides with a national holiday on the 1st November of each year.History
Cabeção was founded by the "Ordem de Avis" and was elevated to the status of "Vila" (or town) in 1578 by King D. Sebastião, the King of Portugal at that time. The King granted the people of Cabeção the right to exploit the natural resources of the pine forest that borders the village, a right that is exercised to this day by villagers collecting pine cones for use as fire lighters and wild asparagus for use in the well-known regional dish known as "Migas de Espargos".During the late twentieth century the village, like many in rural Portugal, has suffered a decline in population as its inhabitants have moved to the coastal cities to find employment. Others have found work further afield in other European countries such as France. More recently many have found work in the United Kingdom, particularly in the Epsom area. It's not unusual to hear a native of the village speaking English with an accent typical of England's Home Counties. During the summer holidays, many former villagers who are now based elsewhere in Europe return to their Portuguese roots, swelling the population considerably.
Heritage
- Pillory of Cabeção
- Torrinha do Castelo (Chapel) Photos
- Fluviarium http://www.fluviariomora.pt/
- Gameiro Ecological Park
- Dolmens: Monte da Ordem Photos
- Monte da Gonçala Chapel Photos
- Watermills: Duque, Arieireira, Madeira, Catarino
Facts
Cabeção is known for its Sport fishing tracks, and by its wineWine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, made in small wine cellar
Wine cellar
A wine cellar is a storage room for wine in bottles or barrels, or more rarely in carboys, amphorae or plastic containers. In an active wine cellar, important factors such as temperature and humidity are maintained by a climate control system. In contrast, passive wine cellars are not...
s and clay vases, using traditional methods.
Part of the location is integrated into the Natura 2000
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union.-Origins:In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the...
network, due to its importance as a natural habitat and source of biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.