Águeda
Encyclopedia
Águeda (ˈaɣɨðɐ) is a municipality in Portugal
with a total area of 335.3 km² with a total population of 49,456 inhabitants (41,022 electors in 2006). The main city proper has a population of 14,504, while the remainder is distributed in 20 parishes, within the Baixo Vouga Subregion.
, Turduli
and Greek
inhabitants since 370 BCE.
Ancient occupation of this area was marked by diverse megalithic monuments, including the archeological site at Cabeço de Vouga, an important Roman military fortification along routes from Olissipo (Lisbon
) to Bracara.
In the 9th Century, Águeda was a prosperous burg, with stable commerce and an active port that supported local and regional businesses. It was mentioned in documents from 1050 to 1077, by its primitive name Casal Lousado (Lat. Casal Lousato), or by its anglicized forms: Anegia, Agatha and Ágada; by the 9th Century, this settlement was referred to as Ágata. In a document dated 1050, there is mention of several villages situated within the current borders, many with names originating from Arab languages.
Águeda was an ancillary center on the roads to Santiago, and was visited by Queen Isabel in 1325, during her customary pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela
.
A new phase of settlement occurred after the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, after the 11th-12th century: although its inhabitants prospered, and had many privileges, their representatives from Aveiro in the Cortes of Évora (1451), never issued a foral
declaration. King D. Manuel I
included Águeda in the foral conceded to Aveiro, in 1515, and only later provided a separate charter by the King.
In 1834, Águeda ascended to the category of municipal seat, as a consequence of the Liberal Revolution, when major administrative reforms were initiated. Its important political place and strategic politico-military position, allowed Águeda to support military troops during the second French invasion, when it functioned as military hospital. The municipality of Águeda, was established on 31 December 1853, and integrated many older concelhos of medieval origins long since extinct, including Aguada de Cima, Castanheira do Vouga and Préstimo.
On July 8, 1985, Águeda was elevated to the category of city. Águeda, as a frontier between the sea and land was situated in a privileged position, serviced by railroads and expanding road networks. These advancements, allowed the economic and social development of the region, and placed Águeda in a important position.
. It is situated in the hydrographic basin of the Vouga River, limited in the north by the Águeda River
, south by the Cértima River, to the east by the Serra do Caramulo, and to the west by the Aveiro River, placing it in a central location (the transition of the Beira Litoral and interior regions). In addition to the mentioned rivers, the area is also delimited by the River Marnel, and the tributaries of the Águeda River: the River Alfusqueiro, Agadão and Dornes ravine.
The municipality includes 20 civil parishes, that handle local-level administrative tasks, that include provision of municipal and social services. These parishes, include:
Between 1991 and 2001, the population resident in Águeda increased 11.3%; these were primarily in parishes of Segadães (32.9%), Aguada de Cima (32.8%) and Recardães (20.8%), while there was a 32.9% decrease in the population. Population density increased in the parishes of Águeda, Recardães, Aguada de Baixo, Ferementelos and Trofa, while parishes closer to the interior (such as Agadão, Préstimo, Castanheira do Vouga and Macieira de Alcoba) were less concentrated.
with: Rio Grande
, Brasil (since 16 November 1993) Bissau
, Guiné-Bissau (since 10 March 1995) Ferrol, Spain
(since 26 August 1999) Sint-Gillis-Waas
, Belgium
(since 25 August 2000)
It has developed a strong industrial base that includes factories that produce motorized and common bicycles and several companies concentrating on civil construction. In 2001, 60% of the resident population was employed in the secondary sector, yet between 1991-2001 there has been a 53% increase in those employed in tertiary sector, while there has been a 78.4% decrease in secondary sector throughout the municipality.
Suckling pig, in the style of Bairrada is the most significant contribution to gastronomy in the region, although sweets are not far behind: pastas de Águeda (), barriga de freira, fuzis and sequilhos, in addition to the padas da Veiga. Other common dishes in this region: chanfana, rojões, carne à lampantana or caldeirda de peixe (), all great meals that are accompanied by local wines and sparkling drinks from the cellars of the Bairrada region.
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 335.3 km² with a total population of 49,456 inhabitants (41,022 electors in 2006). The main city proper has a population of 14,504, while the remainder is distributed in 20 parishes, within the Baixo Vouga Subregion.
History
Águeda, has been the municipal seat since 1834, city since 1985, and was built on a foundation of successive CeltCelt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
, Turduli
Turduli
The Turduli were an ancient Celtiberian tribe of Lusitania, akin to the Lusitanians. They lived in the south of modern Portugal, in the east of the province of Alentejo, along the Guadiana valley , and Extremadura proper...
and Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
inhabitants since 370 BCE.
Ancient occupation of this area was marked by diverse megalithic monuments, including the archeological site at Cabeço de Vouga, an important Roman military fortification along routes from Olissipo (Lisbon
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...
) to Bracara.
In the 9th Century, Águeda was a prosperous burg, with stable commerce and an active port that supported local and regional businesses. It was mentioned in documents from 1050 to 1077, by its primitive name Casal Lousado (Lat. Casal Lousato), or by its anglicized forms: Anegia, Agatha and Ágada; by the 9th Century, this settlement was referred to as Ágata. In a document dated 1050, there is mention of several villages situated within the current borders, many with names originating from Arab languages.
Águeda was an ancillary center on the roads to Santiago, and was visited by Queen Isabel in 1325, during her customary pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
.
A new phase of settlement occurred after the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, after the 11th-12th century: although its inhabitants prospered, and had many privileges, their representatives from Aveiro in the Cortes of Évora (1451), never issued a 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 ....
declaration. King D. 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...
included Águeda in the foral conceded to Aveiro, in 1515, and only later provided a separate charter by the King.
In 1834, Águeda ascended to the category of municipal seat, as a consequence of the Liberal Revolution, when major administrative reforms were initiated. Its important political place and strategic politico-military position, allowed Águeda to support military troops during the second French invasion, when it functioned as military hospital. The municipality of Águeda, was established on 31 December 1853, and integrated many older concelhos of medieval origins long since extinct, including Aguada de Cima, Castanheira do Vouga and Préstimo.
On July 8, 1985, Águeda was elevated to the category of city. Águeda, as a frontier between the sea and land was situated in a privileged position, serviced by railroads and expanding road networks. These advancements, allowed the economic and social development of the region, and placed Águeda in a important position.
Physical geography
Águeda is integrated into the antique District of Aveiro, in the Region of Beira LitoralBeira Litoral Province
Beira Litoral is a former province of Portugal, formally instituted in an administrative reform of 1936. The territory corresponds mainly to the Douro Province from the 19th century...
. It is situated in the hydrographic basin of the Vouga River, limited in the north by the Águeda River
Águeda River
The Águeda is a river tributary of the Douro River, that springs from the Serra das Mesas in Spain, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It flows 130 kilometers until it reaches the Douro River near Barca de Alva, Portugal. The Águeda makes a natural border between Portugal and Spain...
, south by the Cértima River, to the east by the Serra do Caramulo, and to the west by the Aveiro River, placing it in a central location (the transition of the Beira Litoral and interior regions). In addition to the mentioned rivers, the area is also delimited by the River Marnel, and the tributaries of the Águeda River: the River Alfusqueiro, Agadão and Dornes ravine.
Ecoregions/Protected zones
- Pateira de Fermentelos, shortened to Pateira is a natural lake, localized within the triangle of the municipalities of Águeda, AveiroAveiro MunicipalityAveiro Municipality is located in Aveiro District, Portugal. The capital of the district and of the municipality is the city of Aveiro.-Demographics:-Parishes:* Aradas* Cacia* Eirol* Eixo* Esgueira* Glória * Nariz...
and Oliveira do BairroOliveira do BairroOliveira do Bairro is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 87.3 km² and a total population of 22,012 inhabitants, and 16,994 electors . The town itself has a population of 3,077....
before the confluence of the Cértima and Águeda Rivers. It is the second largest lake in the Iberian peninsula, rich in diverse species of animal, bird, fish and aquatic plants.
Human geography
Águeda is located 240 kilometers from Lisbon, 72 kilometers from Oporto and 20 kilometers from Aveiro.The municipality includes 20 civil parishes, that handle local-level administrative tasks, that include provision of municipal and social services. These parishes, include:
- AgadãoAgadãoAgadão is a Portuguese civil parish located in Águeda Municipality in the Baixo Vouga Subregion. Its population was less than 500 inhabitants from the 2001 census, in an area of 35.34 km² ; it is the second largest parish in area, penultimate center of population .-History:Agadão was created...
- a small parish with less than 500 inhabitants, known regionally for the water-bottling business in the village of Alcafaz; - Aguada de Baixo
- Aguada de CimaAguada de CimaAguada de Cima is a civil parish in the Centro Region municipality of Águeda, in Portugal. Aguada De Cima covers a total area of 28.39 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 3952 inhabitants.-History:...
- Agueda
- Barrô
- Belazaima do Chão
- Borralha
- Castanheira do Vouga
- Espinhel
- FermentelosFermentelosFermentelos is a civil parish in the municipality of Águeda in the district of Aveiro, Portugal. A minor village within an independent parish, the area was only elevated to the status of vila on 5 May 1928.-Legend:...
- a parish with a northern border on the Pateira de Fermentelos, with over 3000 inhabitants; - Lamas do Vouga
- Macieira de Alcoba
- Macinhata do VougaMacinhata do VougaMacinhata do Vouga is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Águeda, Aveiro district.-villages:*Macinhata do Vouga*Jafafe de Baixo*Jafafe de Cima*Sernada do Vouga*Carvoeiro*Cavada Nova*Serém de Baixo*Serém de Cima*Lameiro*Pontilhão...
- Óis da Ribeira
- Préstimo
- Recardães
- Segadães
- Travassô
- Trofa
- Valongo do Vouga
Demographics
Between 1991 and 2001, the population resident in Águeda increased 11.3%; these were primarily in parishes of Segadães (32.9%), Aguada de Cima (32.8%) and Recardães (20.8%), while there was a 32.9% decrease in the population. Population density increased in the parishes of Águeda, Recardães, Aguada de Baixo, Ferementelos and Trofa, while parishes closer to the interior (such as Agadão, Préstimo, Castanheira do Vouga and Macieira de Alcoba) were less concentrated.
Twin towns — Sister cities
Águeda 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: Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
, Brasil (since 16 November 1993) Bissau
Bissau
Bissau is the capital city of Guinea-Bissau. The city's borders are conterminous with the Bissau Autonomous Sector. In 2007, the city had an estimated population of 407,424 according to the Instituto Nacional de Estatística e Censos...
, Guiné-Bissau (since 10 March 1995) Ferrol, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(since 26 August 1999) Sint-Gillis-Waas
Sint-Gillis-Waas
Sint-Gillis-Waas is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of De Klinge, Meerdonk, Sint-Gillis-Waas proper and Sint-Pauwels. On January 1, 2006 Sint-Gillis-Waas had a total population of 17,908. The total area is 54.98 km² which gives a...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
(since 25 August 2000)
Economy
Águeda is an important commercial and industrial center, localized in an area that is extremely fertile; the primary sectors of note: corn harvests, fruit orchards, vineyards and forest products. The region known as the Bairrada, which encompasses many of the local civil parishes, is well known for its vineyards and wine industry, as well as its suckling pig.It has developed a strong industrial base that includes factories that produce motorized and common bicycles and several companies concentrating on civil construction. In 2001, 60% of the resident population was employed in the secondary sector, yet between 1991-2001 there has been a 53% increase in those employed in tertiary sector, while there has been a 78.4% decrease in secondary sector throughout the municipality.
Civic
- Estação arqueológica do Cabeço do Vouga (Archeological Site of Cabeço do Vouga) - also referred by the Roman Castelium Marnelis, is an archeological excavation of an early Roman civitates in the foothills of the Vouga River (Cabeço da Mina, Cabeço Redonda and Cabeço do Vouga in Lamas da Vouga).
Religious
- Convento do Santo António (Convent of Saint Anthony) located in Serém, its construction began in 1634 by Diogo Soares, the Count/Duke of Olivares, to house a dozen Franciscans from the province of Santo Santónio. On April 16, 1635, the first stone was placed, whose construction lasted until December 1640, at the Count's expense. Construction continued in 1641, and lasted until 1658-59, briefly interrupted by the lack of funds, which originally stopped the addition of a clauster, chorus and some offices of the monastery. With the abolition of the religious orders in 1834, the convent passed into the hands of José Henriques Ferreira, then Augusto Gomes, who improved some of the installations.
- Convento de Santa Maria de Lamas (Convent of Santa Maria de Lamas), was constructed (in 957) in the area of Passal, by Enderquina Pala, who later dedicated it to the Santissimo Salvador of Viseu, and donated it in 961 to the monastery of Lorvão. During the 17th Century, it was remodeled, to include a commemorative wall, which has since been moved to the parochial church of Lamas do Vouga. In the 18th Century, the convent's church was already in an advance state of degradation, resulting in the construction of a new church in the community of Lamas. The only remnants of original convent and church is a non-descriptive niche in the site in Passal.
Culture
Among its traditional artesan products, the region is recognized for its traditional clay pottery, handmade baskets, knitten craftworks, tannery products.Suckling pig, in the style of Bairrada is the most significant contribution to gastronomy in the region, although sweets are not far behind: pastas de Águeda (), barriga de freira, fuzis and sequilhos, in addition to the padas da Veiga. Other common dishes in this region: chanfana, rojões, carne à lampantana or caldeirda de peixe (), all great meals that are accompanied by local wines and sparkling drinks from the cellars of the Bairrada region.
Sport
The municipality promotes many sport-related activities in the communities of Águeda, in order to foster participation and improve healthy living throughout its 20 civil parishes. These initiatives include: a program for older residents (60 or over), support for many athletic clubs and leagues within its borders, and the maintenance and operation of a municipal pool for local residents.Notable athletes
- António dos Santos Baptista - from Aguada da Cima, António was awarded with a Silver Plate and road named in his honour, for his contributions to cyclism which included several regional championships, participation in the Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, Vuelta a EspanãVuelta a EspañaThe Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
, Tour de Moroc and Vuelta a AndalucíaVuelta a AndalucíaThe Vuelta a Andalucía or Ruta del Sol is a regional Spanish road bicycle race. Since 2005, it has been a 2.1 category race on the UCI Europe Tour....
, where he broke personal records, usually finished in the top-five. - António Manuel Oliveira Monteiro - natural of the parish of Águeda, participated in several canoeing championships, such as the International Regatt in RibadesellaRibadesellaRibadesella Ribadesella is a small municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Known for its location on the Cantabrian Sea, as well as for the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of the Picos de Europa...
(Spain), the Milan Regatta2003 World Rowing ChampionshipsThe 26th World Rowing Championships were held in Milan, Italy. The international rowing season usually ends with the World Championship regatta. Apart from the Olympics this is the most prestigious international rowing event attracting over 1000 rowers....
, European Junior and Senior Championships, the Iberian Tournament and Barcelona Summer Olympics1992 Summer OlympicsThe 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, and returned several first-place trophies.
Notable citizens
Apart from those athletes mentioned above, the municipality has been the residency of many importance citizens, including:- Manuel AlegreManuel AlegreManuel Alegre de Melo Duarte, GCL , is a Portuguese poet and politician, member of the Socialist Party, and a candidate to the Portuguese presidential election, 2006...
de Melo Duarte (born 12 May 1936), a writer, politician and sometime candidate for the Presidency of Portugal.