Galveias
Encyclopedia
Galveias is a civil parish
in the municipality of Ponte de Sor, in the Portugese
northern Alentejo, district of Portalegre. With a population of just under 1489 residents, the small 79.83 km² parish, developed under the patronage of Order of Aviz, endowments from the Marquês Ratão family.
Lourenço Afonso, a master in the Order of Aviz, in 1342. Galveias was a priory
in the Order of Avis, and benefited from the Order's wealth, and religious patronage. But, economically, the region was already a prosperous agricultural centre, supported by the cultivation of oranges and raising of local poultry (both emblematic of its coat-of-arms). It was originally known as Vila Nova do Laranjal because of its many orange groves. In addition, olive oil and wine (currently marketed under the Marques Ratão brand) were produced and commercialized by its citizens.
Jorge de Alencastre, son of King John II
, first expanded the settlement in 1425.
On 1 January 1512, the settlers benefited from a foral (charter) issued by the Aviz, and granted by King Manuel I
. By 1538, King John III elevated the settlement to the status of town.
Important to the regions growth were the Counts of Galveias: the first titular, Dinis de Melo e Castro, was installed in 1691 (there were 10 titular until it was ultimately extinguished in 1940).
The local population is concentrated in the main town (Galveias), in which the homes are older dwellings, apart from two modern residential developments. Comprising 1800 residents, it is composed of primarily seniors (having the highest percentage of older adults), in addition to an elevated number of immigrants (primarily from the United Kingdom).
Galveias has its own administrative council and executive , post of the G.N.R, poste office and one banking institution. In addition to the kindergarten (Escola EB/J D. Anita), which receives 3 to 4 year oldes until primary, it also has its own primary school (Escola de Galveias) consisting of pre-primary, primary and pre-secondary students, consisting of six classrooms.
A seniors residence provides lodging, assistance and hygiene for 70 seniors, supported by a small health centre providing administration, consultancy and curative care and a small hospital with limited assistance and palliative care.
Many of its citizens are involved in seasonal (agricultural) employment, work outside the parish (mainly in Ponte de Sor and Avis) or are employed under the Programas Ocupacionais do Centro de Emprego. The commercial activities are limited, bu include cafés and various smaller concessionaires.
The Sociedade Filarmónica is the historically popular local band, that provides concerts and play at most local events, as well as providing music classes for the region.
Freguesia
Freguesia is the Portuguese term for a secondary local administrative unit in Portugal and some of its former colonies, and a former secondary local administrative unit in Macau, roughly equivalent to an administrative parish. A freguesia is a subdivision of a concelho, the Portuguese synonym term...
in the municipality of Ponte de Sor, in the Portugese
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...
northern Alentejo, district of Portalegre. With a population of just under 1489 residents, the small 79.83 km² parish, developed under the patronage of Order of Aviz, endowments from the Marquês Ratão family.
History
The founding of this settlement is attributed to friarFriar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
Lourenço Afonso, a master in the Order of Aviz, in 1342. Galveias was a priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
in the Order of Avis, and benefited from the Order's wealth, and religious patronage. But, economically, the region was already a prosperous agricultural centre, supported by the cultivation of oranges and raising of local poultry (both emblematic of its coat-of-arms). It was originally known as Vila Nova do Laranjal because of its many orange groves. In addition, olive oil and wine (currently marketed under the Marques Ratão brand) were produced and commercialized by its citizens.
Jorge de Alencastre, son of King John II
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
, first expanded the settlement in 1425.
On 1 January 1512, the settlers benefited from a foral (charter) issued by the Aviz, and granted by King Manuel I
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
. By 1538, King John III elevated the settlement to the status of town.
Important to the regions growth were the Counts of Galveias: the first titular, Dinis de Melo e Castro, was installed in 1691 (there were 10 titular until it was ultimately extinguished in 1940).
Geography
Galveias is situated in the municipality of Ponte de Sor: it is located 14 kilometres from the municipal seat, and 18 kilometres from the town of Avís, crossed by the E.N.244 motorway.The local population is concentrated in the main town (Galveias), in which the homes are older dwellings, apart from two modern residential developments. Comprising 1800 residents, it is composed of primarily seniors (having the highest percentage of older adults), in addition to an elevated number of immigrants (primarily from the United Kingdom).
Galveias has its own administrative council and executive , post of the G.N.R, poste office and one banking institution. In addition to the kindergarten (Escola EB/J D. Anita), which receives 3 to 4 year oldes until primary, it also has its own primary school (Escola de Galveias) consisting of pre-primary, primary and pre-secondary students, consisting of six classrooms.
A seniors residence provides lodging, assistance and hygiene for 70 seniors, supported by a small health centre providing administration, consultancy and curative care and a small hospital with limited assistance and palliative care.
Economy
The region supports a micro-climate, adequate to support the orange groves, vineyards and olive orchards that dominate the agricultural industry. Portion of the parish is allocated to two hunting reserves for tourists and local huntsmen.Many of its citizens are involved in seasonal (agricultural) employment, work outside the parish (mainly in Ponte de Sor and Avis) or are employed under the Programas Ocupacionais do Centro de Emprego. The commercial activities are limited, bu include cafés and various smaller concessionaires.
Civic
- Building of Correios, Telégrafos e Telefones (CTT) de Galveias
- Building Largo da Misericórdia
- Fountain of Galveias
- Estate of the Bragas
- Fountain of the Villa
- Galveias Health Care Centre
- Galveias Kindergarten/D. Anita Kindergarten
- Galveias Primary School
- Parish Building
- Residence EN224
- Residence Rua da Misericórdia, Nº48
- Residence Rua da Misericórdia, Nº55
- Residence Rua da Misericórdia, Nº78
- Residence Rua Joaquim Barradas de Carvalho, Nº61
- Residence Rua M.M. Godinho de Campos
- Ribeira das Vinhas Primary School
Religious
- Chapel of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia , or Funerary Chapel of Galveias
- Chapel of Santo António
- Chapel of São João
- Chapel of São Pedro
- Chapel of São Saturnino
- Chapel of São Sebastião
- Chapel of Senhor das Almas
- Church of São Lourençao
Culture
The local cultural institutions include a public library (located in the old Casa do Povo), the Casa da Cultura (Culture House), which also serves as a library, computer centre, music room, video centre, in addition to the presentation of socio-cultural events. There are also two halls to provide post-school services and extra-circular activities.The Sociedade Filarmónica is the historically popular local band, that provides concerts and play at most local events, as well as providing music classes for the region.