Santa Maria da Feira
Encyclopedia
Santa Maria da Feira (ˈsɐ̃tɐ mɐˈɾi.ɐ ðɐ ˈfejɾɐ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal
with a total area of 215.1 km² and a total population of 140,494 inhabitants, and 107,458 voters.
The municipality is composed of 31 parishes, and is located in Aveiro District. The municipality includes several towns (vilas
) and 3 cities (cidades): Santa Maria da Feira, Fiães
and Lourosa
. It is the most populous municipio
in Entre Douro e Vouga
and it is part of the Porto Metropolitan Area.
The current Mayor is Alfredo de Oliveira Henriques, elected by the Social Democratic Party
.
The municipal holiday is January 20. It's the day when the whole municipality celebrates the Fogaceiras. The Fogaceiras is a special local holiday. During the Middle Ages, the lands of Santa Maria (as it was known back then) were infested by the dark plague. To get rid of this calamity, the locals offered a sweet bread, called fogaça, to the patron saint Saint Sebastien. The Fogaceiras have been celebrated for five hundred years, since the eradication of the dark plague.
The municipality has a science museum, the Visionarium
.
, Feira already was the see of a julgado (old administrative division). This is testified by an ancient document called Foral Velho. It was awarded a new foral
in 1514, when Manuel I of Portugal
was the King of Portugal.
, from the 11th century.
transforming and shoe factories. The town is the headquarters of Amorim
corporation. The seat of the municipality is Feira, famous for its medieval castle which was the residence of Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques
, for a short period of time. The castle, located at the top of a hill, was of considerable strategic importance during its time.
Every year, in summer, a medieval festival takes place in Santa Maria da Feira - the Feira Medieval - during which the city goes back to the Middle Ages.
with: Joué-lès-Tours
, France, since December 1989 Targovishte
, Bulgaria Catió
, Guinea-Bissau
Porto Metropolitan Area
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...
with a total area of 215.1 km² and a total population of 140,494 inhabitants, and 107,458 voters.
The municipality is composed of 31 parishes, and is located in Aveiro District. The municipality includes several towns (vilas
Vilas
-People:*Guillermo Vilas, an Argentine tennis player*Levi Baker Vilas, an American politician*Logan Archibald Vilas, an American aviator*Sebastián Vilas, an Argentine singer*William Freeman Vilas, an American politician-Portugal:...
) and 3 cities (cidades): Santa Maria da Feira, Fiães
Fiães
-Parishes:*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Melgaço*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Trancoso*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Valpaços-Other:...
and Lourosa
Lourosa
Lourosa is the name of multiple locations in Portugal:* Lourosa, a parish in the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital.* Lourosa, a parish in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira....
. It is the most populous municipio
Municipio
Municipio and Município are terms used for country subdivisions. They are often translated as municipality.-Overview:...
in Entre Douro e Vouga
Entre Douro e Vouga
Entre Douro e Vouga is a NUTS3 Portuguese subregion integrated in the NUTS2 Norte Region, part of Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto. Its name stands for the fact that it covers an area between the Douro River and Vouga River. It is bordered in the north by Grande Porto Subregion and Tâmega...
and it is part of the Porto Metropolitan Area.
The current Mayor is Alfredo de Oliveira Henriques, elected by the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Portugal)
The Social Democratic Party , is a centre-right liberal conservative political party in Portugal. It is commonly known by its initials, PSD; on ballot papers, its initials appear as PPD/PSD, with the first three letters coming from the party's original name, Democratic People's Party...
.
The municipal holiday is January 20. It's the day when the whole municipality celebrates the Fogaceiras. The Fogaceiras is a special local holiday. During the Middle Ages, the lands of Santa Maria (as it was known back then) were infested by the dark plague. To get rid of this calamity, the locals offered a sweet bread, called fogaça, to the patron saint Saint Sebastien. The Fogaceiras have been celebrated for five hundred years, since the eradication of the dark plague.
The municipality has a science museum, the Visionarium
Visionarium (Portugal)
Visionarium is a science museum with state-of-the-art interactive displays covering subjects ranging from the Portuguese voyages of discoveries to the interiors of microchips and cells...
.
History
In the time of king Denis of PortugalDenis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
, Feira already was the see of a julgado (old administrative division). This is testified by an ancient document called Foral Velho. It was awarded a new foral
Foral
thumb|left|200px|Foral of Castro Verde - PortugalThe word foral derives from the Portuguese word foro, ultimately from Latin forum, equivalent to Spanish fuero, Galician foro, Catalan furs and Basque foru ....
in 1514, when Manuel I of Portugal
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...
was the King of Portugal.
Main sights
Municipality's sights include the Convento do Espírito Santo (convent), the Igreja da Misericórdia (church; 18th century), and the Rua Direita (street; 18th and 19th centuries' architecture). However, its greatest landmark is the castelo Santa Maria da Feira CastleSanta Maria da Feira Castle
The Castle of Santa Maria da Feira is a Portuguese castle in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, district of Aveiro. Emblematic of Portuguese medieval military architecture, the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira is one of the monuments that best reflects the diversity of defenses used during the...
, from the 11th century.
Economy
Santa Maria da Feira is a heavily industrialized municipality and is famous for its several corkCork (material)
Cork is an impermeable, buoyant material, a prime-subset of bark tissue that is harvested for commercial use primarily from Quercus suber , which is endemic to southwest Europe and northwest Africa...
transforming and shoe factories. The town is the headquarters of Amorim
Amorim
Amorim is a Portuguese surname. A habitational name from any of the various places named Amorim, originally Amorini, from the name of the estate owner.It may refer to:- People :*Ana Amorim, Brazilian handball player...
corporation. The seat of the municipality is Feira, famous for its medieval castle which was the residence of Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques
Afonso I of Portugal
Afonso I or Dom Afonso Henriques , more commonly known as Afonso Henriques , nicknamed "the Conqueror" , "the Founder" or "the Great" by the Portuguese, and El-Bortukali and Ibn-Arrik by the Moors whom he fought, was the first King of Portugal...
, for a short period of time. The castle, located at the top of a hill, was of considerable strategic importance during its time.
Every year, in summer, a medieval festival takes place in Santa Maria da Feira - the Feira Medieval - during which the city goes back to the Middle Ages.
Demographics
| Population of Santa Maria da Feira Municipality (1801 – 2008) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 1849 | 1900 | 1930 | 1960 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 |
| 27 851 | 37 823 | 44 596 | 52 679 | 83 483 | 109 531 | 118 641 | 135 964 | 143 295 | 145 247 | 147 406 |
Cities and towns
The municipality includes 3 cities (cidades): Santa Maria da Feira, Fiães and Lourosa and several towns (vilas), currently 13.Parishes
- ArgoncilheArgoncilheArgoncilhe is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 10,102 inhabitants and a total area of 8.7 km². Its postal code is 4550. Argoncilhe is the parish of the county of Santa Maria da Feira closer to the city of Porto...
- ArrifanaArrifana (Santa Maria da Feira)Arrifana is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 6,544 inhabitants and a total area of 5.32 km². Its postal code is 3700...
- Caldas de São JorgeCaldas de São JorgeCaldas de São Jorge is a Portuguese parish, located in Santa Maria da Feira Municipality. It has a population of 2,728 inhabitants and a total area of 4.70 km².The major attraction of the town is the spa and its hotel.-External links:*...
- CanedoCanedo (Santa Maria da Feira)Canedo is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 5,782 inhabitants and a total area of 27.81 km².-Coat of arms:...
- EscapãesEscapãesEscapães is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 3,028 inhabitants and a total area of 5.44 km².-Coat of arms:...
- EspargoEspargoFor the island capital of Sal in Cape Verde that is with the letter s at the end, see EspargosEspargo is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira...
- FeiraFeira (Santa Maria da Feira)Feira is a Portuguese parish and the seat of the Santa Maria da Feira Municipality. It has a population of 11,040 inhabitants and a total area of 8.40 km². Its name of inhabitants are known as Feirense. Official city name:Santa Maria da Feira....
- FiãesFiães (Santa Maria da Feira)Fiães is a Portuguesecivil parish and a city ,located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 8,754 inhabitants and a total area of 6.58 km².It received the honorific city status in 2001....
- FornosFornos (Santa Maria da Feira)Fornos is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 2,810 inhabitants and a total area of 3.63 km²....
- GiãoGião (Santa Maria da Feira)Gião is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 1,676 inhabitants and a total area of 3.57 km². Its density was 470/km².- External links :*...
- GuisandeGuisande (Santa Maria da Feira)Guisande is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira and is part of the district of Aveiro. It has a population of 1,474 inhabitants and a total area of 3.78 km²...
- LobãoLobão (Santa Maria da Feira)Lobão is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 5,761 inhabitants and a total area of 7.91 km².-Origin of the name:...
- LouredoLouredo (Santa Maria da Feira)Louredo is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 1,459 inhabitants and a total area of 8.67 km²....
- LourosaLourosa (Santa Maria da Feira)Lourosa is a Portuguese civil parish and a city , located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 9,204 inhabitants and a total area of 6.41 km².Lourosa obtained city status in 2001....
- Milheirós de PoiaresMilheirós de PoiaresMilheirós de Poiares is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 3,859 inhabitants and a total area of 8.93 km².-Coat of arms:...
- MosteiróMosteiró (Santa Maria da Feira)Mosteiró is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 2,043 inhabitants and a total area of 2.95 km².-Sites of interests:*Traces of an ancient road near Mosteiró...
- MozelosMozelos (Santa Maria da Feira)Mozelos is a Portuguese town and a parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 6,480 inhabitants and a total area of 5.04 km²...
- Nogueira da RegedouraNogueira da RegedouraNogueira da Regedoura is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 4,998 inhabitants and a total area of 4.87 km²....
- Paços de BrandãoPaços de BrandãoPaços de Brandão is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, and Aveiro District, with an area of 3.71 km² and a population of 4,590 inhabitants . The population density is 1237 inhabitants per km²...
- PigeirosPigeirosPigeiros is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 1,369 inhabitants and a total area of 5.13 km²....
- Rio MeãoRio MeãoRio Meão is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 4,688 inhabitants and a total area of 6.47 km².-History:The parish was first mentioned in the 8th century as "Rius Medianus"...
- RomarizRomarizRomariz is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 3,650 inhabitants and a total area of 10.44 km².-Sites of interests:*Castelo do Romariz...
- SanfinsSanfins (Santa Maria da Feira)Sanfins is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 1,970 inhabitants and a total area of 3.70 km². Its postal code is 4520.The parish was first mentioned in 1288...
- SanguedoSanguedoSanguedo is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 3,542 inhabitants and a total area of 4.31 km².-Sporting club:*Associação Desportiva e Cultural de Sanguedo- football...
- Santa Maria de LamasSanta Maria de LamasSanta Maria de Lamas is a Portuguese civil parish located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, in the district of Aveiro, in the Entre Douro e Vouga Subregion. It is located between the Douro and Vouga rivers and is part of the Oporto Metropolitan Area. It has a population of 5,120...
- São João de VerSão João de VêrSão João de Vêr is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 8,816 inhabitants and a total area of 16.31 km².-Landmarks:*Casa da Torre or Quinta da Torre...
- São Paio de OleirosSão Paio de OleirosSão Paio de Oleiros is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 4,003 inhabitants and a total area of 4.22 km²....
- SoutoSouto (Santa Maria da Feira)Souto is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 4,835 inhabitants and a total area of 9.40 km²....
- TravancaTravanca (Santa Maria da Feira)Travanca is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 2,201 inhabitants and a total area of 5.72 km²....
- ValeVale (Santa Maria da Feira)Vale is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 2,138 inhabitants and a total area of 9.01 km²....
- Vila MaiorVila Maior (Santa Maria da Feira)Vila Maior is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It has a population of 1,438 inhabitants and a total area of 2.71 km²....
Twin towns — Sister cities
Santa Maria da Feira Municipality is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Joué-lès-Tours
Joué-lès-Tours
Joué-lès-Tours is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.It is the largest suburb of the city of Tours, and is adjacent to it on the southwest....
, France, since December 1989 Targovishte
Targovishte
Targovishte is a city in Bulgaria, capital of Targovishte Province. It is situated at the northern foot of the low mountain of Preslav on both banks of the Vrana River. The town is 335 km away to the north-east from the capital Sofia and about 125 km to the west from the city of Varna...
, Bulgaria Catió
Catió
Catió is a city in south eastern Guinea-Bissau. It is the capital of Tombali Region.Population 9,217 .Catio, along with Canjadude and other camps were besieged by the Portuguese in 1973....
, Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
External links
- Town Hall official website
- Feirense web
- Info at the Portuguese Association of Municipalities website
- Photos from Santa Maria da Feira
- More pictures of Santa Maria da Feira
Porto Metropolitan Area