| Table of contents |
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2 The Emanicipation of the Portuguese Municipalities 3 The Captured Municipality 4 List of Municipalities 5 External Links |
Therefore the municipalities in Portugal held a great importance in medieval independent Portugal. The Portuguese capital has changed places from Guimaraes, Lamego, Coimbra, Evora and, finally, Lisbon. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was during the Napoleonic Wars the Capital of Portugal.
Oporto never reached the status of capital of Portugal, but mantained the status of the most important city of the newly formed nation for some centuries, as Capital of Merchants. A similar status was given to Braga, as Capital of the Archibishops (or the Church). Before the invasion of the Moors, Braga was the Capital of the former kingdom of the Suevi. These two cities were a major loss to the Leonese kingdom. As the country grows in the south, the portuguese capital also moved southwards. But excepting for Coimbra and Lisbon, the other cities where capital for a very short period of time. The moving capital was a very important strategy for the Portuguese reconquista of the south, where important Moorish kingdoms where established.
By the 19th century, the republicans promised a federal organization for the Portuguese territory -- that the country would become a municipal republic.
When the Republic was formed, however, they didn't adopt what they promised for almost half a century.
Later in the end of the 20th century, democracy has granted more independence to municipalities. And, the formation of two super municipalities, known as ?eas metropolitanas (meaning "metropolitan areas") for the two major cities of the country (Lisbon and Oporto). Altought, there has been discussions of the creation of three new metropolitan areas for the cities around Aveiro, Leiria and Viseu.
The municipalities in Portugal are known as concelhos ("councils"), but the word munic?io ("municipality") is used and also official.
In 1801, Spain and France decides to invade Portugal because of Portugal's alliance with Britain and to make Portugal stops trading with Britain. A block was made Europe-wide by the pressure of Napoleon, but Portugal didn't join this. By this, Spain declares war on Portugal, invading and forcing the country to sign the Triety of Badajoz where Oliven? is given to Spain among other premisses. In the spanish view, this territory isolates, in some manner, some spanish territories and, because of this, has a strategical position in southern Iberia. Portugal signs with the commitment that Spain won't invade the rest of the country.
By the year 1807, Spain and France invades Portugal and its Royal Family escapes to Brazil, a portuguese colony that by this will be turned into an associated kingdom of Portugal and, in fact, Rio de Janeiro turned into Capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve during the invasion of metropolitan Portugal.
When the war was over and won, Portugal tried to regain it's lost territory. Spain signs with Portugal among other nations the Congress of Vienna, where, by its honor and will, promisses to return the Municipality of Oliven? to Portugal and the Triety of Badajoz was declared, officially, null. Until today, Spain didn't make what it has promissed. Portugal has tried during these two centuries to regain Oliven?, sometimes by force. But withdraws by fears of a new Peninsular War. In that region, till today there is no official border between the two countries.
The list of Portuguese municipalities are divided by regions or Metropolitans Areas. The used regions are the used ones by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, since the country officially is not divided into regions and districts falls in disuse. The list also includes the activities and main attractions of each municipality. Some municipalities shares a statute of World Heritage Site. This happens in the World Heritage region of Douro Vinhateiro that is shared by 13 municipalities. This also occurs in Madeira Island, where the Laurissilva Forrest is share by some municipalities. Others like Lisbon (two monuments classified) and Vila Nova de Foz C? (Douro Vinhateiro and the Paleolitic pictures site) has more than one site.
Portugal has a unique kind of hotels known has Pousadas Hist?icas part of Pousadas de Portugal, that are located in national monuments, convents, castles and forts. They are also in the list. One can also find the monuments that were classified as National Monuments by Portugal, with the anacron N.M.. This features among others characterize each municipality, some like the Pousadas are seen in Portugal as a municipal pride.
Municipalities in Early Portugal
The Emanicipation of the Portuguese Municipalities
The Captured Municipality
List of Municipalities
| Region Metropolitan Area | Municipality | Obs.
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| Azores Islands pt. Arquip?ago dos A?res
| Angra do Hero?mo, Terceira Island | Bullfighting; World Heritage Site
|
| Calheta (Azores), S? Jorge Island | Bullfighting
| |
| Corvo, Corvo Island |
| |
| Horta, Faial Island |
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| Lagoa (Azores), S? Miguel Island |
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| Lajes das Flores, Flores Island |
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| Lajes do Pico, Pico Island |
| |
| Madalena, Pico Island | Natural beauties
| |
| Nordeste, S? Miguel Island |
| |
| Ponta Delgada, S? Miguel Island | Spas
| |
| Povoa?o, S? Miguel Island | Spas
| |
| Praia da Vit?ia, Terceira Island | Fishery
| |
| Ribeira Grande, S? Miguel Island | Spas
| |
| Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island |
| |
| Santa Cruz das Flores, Flores Island |
| |
| S? Roque do Pico, Pico Island |
| |
| Velas, S? Jorge Island | Natural beauties; bullfighting
| |
| Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island |
| |
| Vila Franca do Campo, S? Miguel Island |
| |
| Alentejo
| Alandroal | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Terena
|
| Alc?er do Sal | Natural beauties; bullfighting; Pousada
| |
| Aljustrel |
| |
| Almod?ar |
| |
| Alter do Ch? | Bullfighting
| |
| Alvito | Pousada
| |
| Arraiolos | Pousada
| |
| Arronches | Natural beauties
| |
| Avis |
| |
| Barrancos | Natural beauties; bullfighting
| |
| Beja | Pousada; N.M.: Roman Villa of Pis?s
| |
| Borba |
| |
| Campo Maior | N.M.: Castle of Campo Maior, Pre-Historic settlement of Santa Vit?ia
| |
| Castelo de Vide | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Castro Verde | Natural beauties
| |
| Crato | Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Flor da Rosa
| |
| Cuba |
| |
| Elvas | N.M.: Castle of Elvas, Church of Nossa Senhora da Assun?o, Megalitic Monuments of Elvas
| |
| Estremoz | Pousada
| |
| ?ora | World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of ?oramonte, Cathedral of ?ora
| |
| Ferreira do Alentejo |
| |
| Fronteira | Spas; bullfighting
| |
| Gavi? | N.M.: Castle of Belver
| |
| Gr?dola | Natural beauties
| |
| Marv? | Natural beauties; mountains; spas
| |
| M?tola |
| |
| Monforte | Bullfighting; N.M.: Roman Villa of Torre de Palma
| |
| Montemor-o-Novo | Natural beauties; N.M.: Grotto of Escoural
| |
| Mora | Natural beauties
| |
| Moura | Spas; bullfighting; Lagar de Varas do Fojo
| |
| Mour? |
| |
| Nisa | N.M.: Castle of Amieira do Tejo
| |
| Odemira | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Oliven? | Occupied by Spain
| |
| Ourique | Natural beauties; N.M.: Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola
| |
| Ponte de S? |
| |
| Portalegre | Natural beauties; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Portalegre
| |
| Portel |
| |
| Redondo |
| |
| Reguengos de Monsaraz |
| |
| Santiago do Cac? | N.M.: Roman Ruins of Mir?riga
| |
| Serpa | Natural beauties
| |
| Sines | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Sousel |
| |
| Vendas Novas |
| |
| Viana do Alentejo | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Viana do Alentejo
| |
| Vidigueira | N.M.: Roman ruins of Villa ?lica and Convent of S? Cucufate
| |
| Vila Vi?sa | Pousada
| |
| Algarve
| Albufeira |
|
| Alcoutim |
| |
| Aljezur | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Castro Marim |
| |
| Faro | Fishery; N.M.: Roman Villa of Milreu
| |
| Lagoa (Algarve) | Fishery; bullfighting
| |
| Lagos | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Loul? | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Monchique | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Olh? | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Portim? | Natural beauties; fishery; N.M.: Megalitic Monuments of Alcalar
| |
| S? Br? de Alportel |
| |
| Silves |
| |
| Tavira | Mountains; fishery; bullfighting
| |
| Vila do Bispo | Natural beauties; fishery; N.M.: Fortress of Sagres, Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
| |
| Vila Real de Santo Ant?io | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Beira Interior
| Aguiar da Beira | Spas
|
| Almeida | Spas
| |
| Belmonte | Mountains; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Belmonte, Roman Tower of Centum Cellas
| |
| Castelo Branco |
| |
| Celorico da Beira | Natural beauties; mountains; spas
| |
| Covilh? | Natural beauties; mountains; spas
| |
| Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo | N.M.: Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar
| |
| Fornos De Algodres |
| |
| Fund? | Spas
| |
| Gouveia |
| |
| Guarda | Natural beauties; N.M.: Cathedral of Guarda
| |
| Idanha-a-Nova | Spas, N.M.: Roman ruins of Egipt?ia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha
| |
| Manteigas | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| M?a | Spas; N.M.: Castle of Marialva
| |
| Oleiros |
| |
| Penamac? |
| |
| Pinhel | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Pinhel
| |
| Proen?-a-Nova | Mountains
| |
| Sabugal | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Seia | Mountains
| |
| Sert? |
| |
| Trancoso |
| |
| Vila de Rei |
| |
| Vila Nova de Foz C? | World Heritage Sites
| |
| Vila Velha de R?? |
| |
| Beira Litoral
| ?ueda |
|
| Albergaria-a-Velha |
| |
| Anadia | Spas
| |
| Arganil | Natural beauties
| |
| Armamar | World Heritage Site
| |
| Arouca | Natural beauties; N.M.: Monastery of Arouca
| |
| Aveiro | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Cantanhede | Fishery
| |
| Carregal do Sal |
| |
| Castro Daire | Spas
| |
| Castelo de Paiva |
| |
| Coimbra | N.M.: Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Monastery of Santa Cruz, New Cathedral of Coimbra, Old Cathedral of Coimbra
| |
| Condeixa-a-Nova | Natural beauties
| |
| Cinf?s | Mountains
| |
| Estarreja |
| |
| Figueira da Foz | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| G?s | Mountains
| |
| ?havo | Fishery
| |
| Lamego | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Ferreirim, Chapel of S? Pedro de Balsem?
| |
| Lous? |
| |
| Mangualde | Spas
| |
| Mealhada | Spas
| |
| Mira | Fishery
| |
| Miranda do Corvo |
| |
| Moimenta da Beira |
| |
| Montemor-o-Velho | Natural beauties; spas; N.M.: Castle of Montemor-o-Velho
| |
| Mort?ua |
| |
| Murtosa | Fishery
| |
| Nelas | Mountains; spas
| |
| Oliveira de Azem?s |
| |
| Oliveira do Bairro | Natural beauties
| |
| Oliveira de Frades | Mountains
| |
| Oliveira do Hospital | Spas; Pousada
| |
| Ovar | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Pampilhosa da Serra | Mountains
| |
| Penacova | Spas; N.M.: Monastery of Lorv?
| |
| Penalva do Castelo |
| |
| Penedono |
| |
| Penela | N.M.: Castle of Penela
| |
| Resende | Spas
| |
| Santa Comba D? | Spas
| |
| Santa Maria da Feira | Spas; N.M.: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
| |
| S? Jo? da Madeira |
| |
| S? Jo? da Pesqueira | World Heritage Site
| |
| S? Pedro do Sul | Spas
| |
| S?? |
| |
| Sernancelhe |
| |
| Sever do Vouga |
| |
| Soure | Spas
| |
| T?ua | Spas
| |
| Tabua? | World Heritage Site
| |
| Tarouca | N.M.: Monastery of S? Jo? de Tarouca
| |
| Tondela | Spas
| |
| Vagos | Fishery; bullfighting
| |
| Vale de Cambra |
| |
| Vila Nova de Paiva |
| |
| Vila Nova de Poiares | Bullfighting
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| Viseu |
| |
| Vouzela | Natural beauties
| |
| Entre Douro e Minho
| Amarante | Spas
|
| Amares | Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Rendufe
| |
| Arcos de Valdevez |
| |
| Bai? |
| |
| Barcelos |
| |
| Braga | N.M.: Monastery of Tib?s, Chapel of S? Frutuoso de Mont?ios, Cathedral of Braga
| |
| Cabeceiras de Basto |
| |
| Caminha | Fishery; N.M.: First Church of Caminha
| |
| Celorico de Basto |
| |
| Esposende | Fishery
| |
| Fafe |
| |
| Felgueiras | N.M.: Monastery of Pombeiro
| |
| Guimar?s | Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Palace of the Duckes of Bragan?, Castle of Guimar?s, Church of S? Miguel do Castelo
| |
| Lousada |
| |
| Marco de Canaveses | Spas; N.M.: Pre-Historic and Roman ruins of Tongobriga
| |
| Melga? | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Mon?o | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Pa?s de Ferreira |
| |
| Paredes |
| |
| Paredes de Coura |
| |
| Penafiel | Spas
| |
| Ponte da Barca |
| |
| Ponte de Lima | Natural beauties; mountains
| |
| P?oa de Lanhoso |
| |
| Santo Tirso | Spas
| |
| Terras de Bouro | Natural beauties; mountains; spas
| |
| Trofa |
| |
| Valen? |
| |
| Viana do Castelo | Fishery, N.M.: Cit?ia de Santa Luzia
| |
| Vieira do Minho | Mountains
| |
| Vila Nova de Cerveira | Pousada
| |
| Vila Nova de Famalic? |
| |
| Vila Verde |
| |
| Vizela |
| |
'''[[Metropolitan areas of Portugal|Lisbon Metropolitan
Area]] ' | Alcochete | Natural beauties; bullfighting
|
| Almada | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Amadora |
| |
| Azambuja | Bullfighting
| |
| Barreiro |
| |
| Cascais | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Lisbon pt. Lisboa | Bullfighting; World Heritage Sites; N.M.: National Palace of Ajuda, Library of Ajuda, Tower of S? Vicente de Bel?, Monastery of Jen?imos, Cathedral of Lisbon, Church of S? Vicente de Fora, Church of Santa Eugr?ia and National Panteon
| |
| Loures |
| |
| Mafra | Fishery; N.M.: Palace and Convent of Mafra
| |
| Moita | Bullfighting
| |
| Montijo | Bullfighting
| |
| Odivelas |
| |
| Oeiras |
| |
| Palmela | Pousada
| |
| Sesimbra | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Set?al | Natural beauties; fishery; bullfighting; Pousada
| |
| Seixal |
| |
| Sintra | Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Sintra
| |
| Vila Franca de Xira | Natural beauties; bullfighting
| |
| Madeira Islands pt. Arquip?ago da Madeira
| Calheta (Madeira), Madeira Island |
|
| C?ara De Lobos, Madeira Island |
| |
| Funchal, Madeira Island | Natural beauties; mountains; World Heritage Site
| |
| Machico, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site
| |
| Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island |
| |
| Porto Moniz, Madeira Island |
| |
| Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island | Natural beauties
| |
| Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island | Natural beauties
| |
| Santa Cruz, Madeira Island |
| |
| Santana, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site
| |
| S? Vicente, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site
| |
| Desertas Islands pt. Ilhas Desertas |
| |
| Savage Islands pt. Ilhas Selvagens |
| |
'''[[Metropolitan areas of Portugal|Oporto Metropolitan
Area]] ' | Espinho | Fishery
|
| Maia |
| |
| Matosinhos | Fishery
| |
| Gondomar |
| |
| Oporto pt. Porto | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Oporto
| |
| P?oa de Varzim | Fishery; bullfighting
| |
| Valongo | Natural beauties
| |
| Vila do Conde | Fishery
| |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | Natural beauties; N.M.: Monastery of Grij?p> | |
| Ribatejo e Oeste
| Abrantes |
|
| Alcanena | Natural beauties
| |
| Alenquer | Natural beauties
| |
| Almeirim | Bullfighting
| |
| Alcoba? | Natural beauties; spas; fishery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Alcoba?
| |
| Alpiar? |
| |
| Alvai?ere |
| |
| Ansi? |
| |
| Arruda dos Vinhos | Bullfighting
| |
| Batalha | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Batalha
| |
| Benavente | Natural beauties; bullfighting
| |
| Bombarral |
| |
| Cadaval | Natural beauties; mountains
| |
| Caldas da Rainha | Spas, fishery
| |
| Cartaxo | Bullfighting
| |
| Castanheira de Pera | Mountains
| |
| Chamusca |
| |
| Const?cia |
| |
| Coruche | Natural beauties
| |
| Entroncamento |
| |
| Figueir?dos Vinhos | Mountains
| |
| Ferreira do Z?ere | Mountains
| |
| Goleg? | Natural beauties; bullfighting; N.M.: First Church of Goleg?p> | |
| Leiria | Spas, fishery
| |
| Lourinh? | Fishery
| |
| Ma?o | Spas
| |
| Marinha Grande | Fishery
| |
| Nazar? | Fishery
| |
| ?idos | Pousada
| |
| Our? | Natural beauties; spas
| |
| Pedrog? Grande | Natural beauties
| |
| Peniche | Natural beauties; fishery
| |
| Pombal | Bullfighting
| |
| Porto de M? | Natural beauties; N.M.: Chapel of S? Jorge
| |
| Rio Maior |
| |
| Salvaterra de Magos |
| |
| Santar? | Natural beauties; bullfighting; N.M.: Church of Santa maria da Gra? de Santar?
| |
| Sardoal |
| |
| Sobral de Monte Agra? |
| |
| Tomar | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Convent of Christ
| |
| Torres Novas | Natural beauties
| |
| Torres Vedras | Spas; fishery
| |
| Vila Nova da Barquinha | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Almourol
| |
| Tr?-os-Montes
| Alf?dega da F? |
|
| Alij? | Bullfighting; World Heritage Site
| |
| Boticas | Spas
| |
| Bragan? |
| |
| Carrazeda de Ansi?s | Mountains; spas; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Castle of Ansi?s
| |
| Chaves | Mountains; spas; N.M.: Castle of Monforte
| |
| Freixo de Espada ?Cinta | Natural beauties; N.M.: First Church of Freixo de Espada ?Cinta
| |
| Macedo de Cavaleiros | Natural beauties
| |
| Mes? Frio | Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada
| |
| Miranda do Douro mirandese Miranda de l Douro | N.M.: Church of Miranda
| |
| Mirandela |
| |
| Mogadouro |
| |
| Moncorvo | Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; N.M.: First Church of Torre de Moncorvo
| |
| Mondim de Basto |
| |
| Montalegre | Natural beauties; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Montalegre
| |
| Mur? | Spas
| |
| Peso da R?ua | Spas; World Heritage Site
| |
| Ribeira de Pena |
| |
| Sabrosa | Mountains; World Heritage Site
| |
| Santa Marta de Penagui? | World Heritage Site
| |
| Valpa?s |
| |
| Vila Flor | Spas
| |
| Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Spas
| |
| Vila Real | Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Vila Real, Roman Sanctuary of Pan?as
| |
| Vimioso mirandese Bimioso |
| |
| Vinhais | Natural beauties; mountains
|