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Vila do Conde

Coordinates:41°21′10″N8°44′40″W/ 41.35278°N 8.74444°W/41.35278; -8.74444
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Vila do Conde
Municipality
The town of Vila do Conde on the River Ave
The town of Vila do Conde on theRiver Ave
Flag of Vila do Conde
Flag
Coat of arms of Vila do Conde
Coat of arms
Coordinates:41°21′10″N8°44′40″W/ 41.35278°N 8.74444°W/41.35278; -8.74444
CountryPortugal
RegionNorte
Metropolitan areaPorto
DistrictPorto
Parishes21
Government
•PresidentElisa Ferraz (independent)
Area
• Total149.03 km2(57.54 sq mi)
Elevation
49 m (161 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
(2011)
• Total79,533
• Density530/km2(1,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00(WET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+01:00(WEST)
Postal code
4480
Area code252
PatronSão João Baptista
Websitehttps://viladoconde.com/en/

Vila do Conde(Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈvilɐðuˈkõdɨ]ⓘ,locally[ˈbilɐðuˈkoŋdɨ];"the Count's Town" ) is a municipality in theNorte RegionofPortugal.The population in 2011 was 79,533,[1]in an area of 149.03 km2.[2]The urbanized area of Vila do Conde, which includes the parishes of Vila do Conde, Azurara andÁrvore,represent 36,137 inhabitants. Vila do Conde is interlinked to the north withPóvoa de Varzim,forming a single urban agglomeration which is a part of the Porto Metropolitan Area. The town is onthe Portuguese Wayof theCamino de Santiago.

History[edit]

Acarrackin the harbour of Vila do Conde: many mariners from the village were involved in the epic voyages during the Age of Discovery
TheManueline-style church portico in the Matrice Church alongRua da Igreja,constructed from the wealth of Portuguese discoveries
Matrice Church

Vila do Conde is one of the oldest settlements in northern Portugal. Geological artifacts dating to the Paleolithic have been discovered in sites in the parishes of Modivas, Malta, and Labruge dating from 100,000 to 15,000 years.[3]In other parishes there have also been discoveries of implements and mounds dating back to the Bronze Age and Neolithic periods indicating a period of transition between forging and sedimentary civilizations.[3]

Its origins date back to the founding of the Portuguese territory; the earliest written document (953), by the CountessMumadona Dias,refers to theVilla de Comite,in a chart used for the sale of land by Flamula Pelagius, to the Monastery of Guimarães.[4]But its ancient origins date back to theCastro of São João(Hillfort of St. John), and otherIron Agecastros,that include dispersed settlements in Retorta, Bagunte, Ferreiró, Vairão and Labruge.[3]In the 18th century, Jerónimo Contador de Argote, citing references to the castro culture, identified the existence of one of these structures in the hilltops ofCividade de Bagunte,a structure occupying 50 hectares (0.50 km2).[3]Other castros within the municipality have been mostly agricultural, and some discoveries of ceramics have occurred, although most have been found in ruins.[3]Similar vestiges of the Roman occupation of the region continue to be discovered, and archaeological digs are ongoing in a dozen sites throughout the municipality.[3]

The origin of thetoponymis unknown. Most authors point to the 9th century counts of theReconquista,those who came from Galicia and Asturias and were ancestors of the aforementioned Flamula, as probably linked to the genesis of the name.[5]

Later, KingDinis of Portugalbestowed on Maria Paes da Ribeira these seigneurial holdings (Dinis had long had many illegitimate children with the noblewoman).[6]

In 1318, Afonso Sanches (the illegitimate son of KingDinis of Portugaland Aldonça Rodrigues Telha) and Teresa Martins (daughter of João Afonso de Menez,Count of Barcelos,granddaughter ofSancho IV of Castile) and great-great-granddaughter of Maria Pais da Ribeira, founded theMonastery of Santa Clara.Later referred to as theConvent of Santa Clara,the construction of the monastery developed from the bad relationship between King Dinis and his wife, QueenElizabeth of Portugal,due to the king's preference for his illegitimate son. The queen re-founded, in 1314, an abandoned monastery in Coimbra, which she renamed Santa Clara. This prompted King Dinis to sponsor and authorize Afonso Sanches to build a monastery of the same invocation on the right bank of the Ave river, where an ancient Celtic hillfort was located.[7]The cornerstone was laid in 1318, and once completed it was deposited in the hands of theFranciscanOrder, which he patronized throughout his life, eventually leaving Vila do Conde, its lands and rents, in their possession after his and his wife's deaths.[8][9]Today it is theex-librisof Vila do Conde. The priory became the judicial seat, with all the royal rights in the area. Yet, KingEdwardbegan to contest these grand privileges during his reign, and KingJohn III of Portugalfinally stripped them of those rights in 1537, investing his brotherEdward,with the seigneurial titles. At the marriage ofCatherine,his daughter, withJohn I, 6th Duke of Braganza,the Infante Edward passed on the title to the RoyalHouse of Braganza.[9]Consequently, Vila do Conde had representation in the Royal Cortes and theiralcaldeswere nominated for dukedoms in the Royal House of Braganza.[9]But this was also responsible for the local government weakness and high taxes on most local economic activities, except shipping and trade, where the national government had sole control.[10]

During the 16th century, attained the apex of its commercial and maritime importance due to naval construction, associated with the PortugueseAge of Discovery.Many of the historical buildings, such as the port and customshouse, were all integral in the commercial relief of the 16th century. The passage of KingManuelthrough Vila do Conde, during a pilgrimage toSantiago de Compostela,in 1502, helped to develop some of the important infrastructures in the city: the Matrice Church,Praça Novaand municipal buildings, along with new arterials, were begun under the reign of Manuel I.[8]ThePraça Nova(Portuguese:New Square), todayPraça Vasco da Gamawas opened in 1538, during the reign of KingJohn III of Portugal,and where the municipal buildings were located.[8]

Manuel Iconceded aforal(royal charter) in 1516, due to the active and integral participation of its population during the exploration of the new lands inIndia.[4]Of these mariners of note, were the brothers Paulo and Francisco Faria, who were onVasco da Gama's expeditionary voyage.

During the 19th century, French troops were responsible for the destruction and pillaging of many of the infrastructures and deaths. By the middle of the 19th century, the town had one ecclesiastical parish, dedicated toSaint John the Baptist,founded byManuel I of Portugal,and erected by the archbishop ofBraga,Diogo de Sousa in 1518. In addition, the community included theChurch of the Misericordia,hospital, six chapels, municipal building, customhouse, the Convent of Santa Clara (now remodelled and expanded since its construction), and theConvent of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação.In addition, the secular buildings included a small theatre, arecreational assemblyand ornate dock of rock on the right margin of the Ave River towards its mouth, and across from the Chapel ofNossa Senhora da Guia.

In 1987, the urbanized area was elevated to the status of city.[4]

Geography[edit]

Physical geography[edit]

Vila do Conde is located in the north-west coast of Portugal, surrounded by the municipalities ofVila Nova de Famalicão Municipality(east),Maia(southeast),Trofa(southeast),Matosinhos(south) andPóvoa de Varzim(north). Fronting the Atlantic Ocean and the Ave River (to its south), the municipality includes 18 kilometres (11 miles) of beaches, in addition to extensive rural areas with fields and estates. Located 20 km (12 mi) from Porto, access to the municipality is completed through many of its transport networks: the A28 (linking Porto to Viana do Castelo), the EN13, a Metro line and the A11 roadway.

The area of Vila do Conde is part of the granite-metamorphic basement, the Iberian Hercynian massif, that extends from the Spanish border toEspinho(15 km (9 mi) south of Porto).[11]Over the Hercynian bedrock there is a prevalence of sandy beaches, and in other areas, the erosion of these sands has allowed the exposure of the rocky substrata.[11]Most of the rock outcrops (never more than 20 metres) disappear north of the Ave River.[11]Yet, these deposits are irregular, and most comparable sediments are not necessarily found at the same altitude.[12]There are also deformations associated with the last inter-glacial period, that have affected these sedimentary layers, most commonly in the beach ofSampaio,where deposits have been discovered between various altitudes (5 and 9 metres).[12]

Human geography[edit]

The municipality is subdivided into the following local government civil parishes, of which Azurara, Árvore and Vila do Conde form the urbanized city of Vila do Conde:[13]

Population of
Vila do Conde Municipality
(1801 - 2011)
YearPop.±%
18013,623—
184917,781+390.8%
190027,366+53.9%
193034,116+24.7%
196048,806+43.1%
198164,402+32.0%
199164,836+0.7%
200174,391+14.7%
201179,533+6.9%

Twin towns — sister cities[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Portugal

Vila do Conde istwinnedwith:[14]

Economy[edit]

The municipal authorities have promoted a future-looking environment in Vila do Conde, that have concentrated on the tourist market, involving the requalification of many of the historical buildings (such as the Convent and customshouse), in addition to promoting an ocean-centric tourist economy associated with thePrograma Polisinitiative.[8]

The communities along the coast, which include the main beaches and bird sanctuary, are essentially beach resorts with a high technology industrial park inMindelowith some semi-conductor industries.

Transport[edit]

Vila do Conde is serviced by an ample network of terrestrial, aerial and maritime transport links. The road networks include accesses to the nationalauto-estradas(English:roadway), and inter-municipal roadways, along a north–south axis fromVila Nova de CerveirauntilPortovia the A28 Auto-estrada. The A7 crosses the A28 along an east-to-west intersection, along the north of the city, linkingVila Nova de FamalicãotoGuimarães.

The national roadways that cross the municipal borders as managed by the municipality, including the EN13, which crosses the municipality and city along a north-to-south axis, linking into the northern agglomeration of Póvoa de Varzim. In the north, the EN205 intersects the municipality along an east to west trajectory from Vila do Conde toVila Nova de Famalicão.Similarly, the EN104 crosses the municipality in the centre, along a similar orientation (east to west), and connects Vila do Conde withTrofaandSanto Tirso.The ancillary EN205 and EN104 are primarily used by motorists within the municipality and interlink the many civil parishes. Municipal public transport is primarily operated byLitoral Norte - Transportes Urbanos da Póvoa de Varzim,although the remains lines are managed byTransdev.TheB Lineof the Porto Metro system connects Vila do Conde with Porto and the airport, providing both normal and express services, in addition to northern connections to Póvoa de Varzim. The line also operated an older rail-line that connected Porto and Póvoa de Varzim, with intermediary stops in Vila do Conde, but was discontinued in 2002 in favour of Metro services.

Situated 15 km (9 mi) from the centre of Vila do Conde, thePorto-Francisco de Sá Carneiro International Airport(OPO), the second largest international airport in the country is linked to Vila do Conde across the A28, EN13 and Porto Metro.

Architecture[edit]

The well-preservedRua da Igreja,dating back to the 16th century
Town hall
Santa Clara Convent

Civic[edit]

  • Aqueductof Vila do Conde (Portuguese:Aqueduto de Vila do Conde) - initially constructed between 1705 and 1714, it had 999 arches and ran for four kilometres; the aqueduct is the second longest in Portugal, connecting a spring inTerroso,Póvoa de Varzim,with a fountain in the monastery of Santa Clara.
  • Municipal Hall of Vila do Conde (Portuguese:Paços do Concelho) - located in thePraça Nova(orPraça Vasco da Gama) square, date back to 1543 (supposedly the date of completion), it is located in front of the municipal marker (Portuguese:pelourinho), and is one of the more important urban interventions in Vila do Conde since the 16th century. The executive office block and theSalão Nobre(English:Noble Hall), in particular, are the centrepieces of the building, with an ornate portrait of QueenMaria II of Portugalsurmounted by royal coat of arms.
  • Mill of Azurara (Portuguese:Azenha de Azurara) - a rectangular building, with the coat of arms in sculpted rock of the Marquess of Vila Real (who in the 16th century ordered its construction).

Military[edit]

Religious[edit]

  • Chapel of Our Lady of Help (Portuguese:Capela de Nossa Senhora do Socorro), the chapel is implanted on a rocky escarpment over the Ave River, on theRua do Socorro;the chapel is atypical of Portuguese architecture: it has a square plan and large rounded dome. Yet, in the interior, the chapel exemplifies 18th-century architecture, withazulejosshowing thelife of Christ,and aRococo-style altar. It was ordered built by Gaspar Manuel, knight of the Order of Christ and chief-pilot in service to the King during voyages toIndia,ChinaandJapan,and his wife Bárbara Ferreira de Almeida; both were buried there on their deaths.
  • Chapel of Our Lady of Guidance (Portuguese:Capela da Nossa Senhora da Guia), the chapel dates back to the 10th–11th century; located at the end ofAvenida Marquês Sá da Bandeira(Vila do Conde), the chapel is referenced in a 1059 inventory of the Monastery of Guimarães, but designated as theHermitage of Saint Julian the Martyr.It is an irregular building, with an interior of azulejo from the 17th–18th century, and a roof decorated with scenes from the Bible and figures of saints.
  • Church of Saint John the Baptist (Portuguese:Igreja de São João Baptista) - also referred to as theMatriceChurch of Vila do Conde,located along theRua da Igreja,the building is a lateGothicstructure with elements of Manueline, Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles, represented by a Latin cross of three naves, transept (with two chapels). Its construction in the 16th century was initiated by KingManuel of Portugal's visit in 1502, who defined the plan, provided a substantial budget and imposed a tax to support the project. The architecture is marked by a large portico (by João de Castilho), a rectangular bell tower (erected in 1573 (designed by João Lopesthe Elder), while the interior is richly decorated, with ornate pulpits and chapels;
  • Church of Mercy, andCasa do Despacho- initiated in 1559, the plan of theAssembleia da Irmandadewas to construct a church with a bell tower similar to the Misericórdia Church in Porto and having a pulpit comparable to that of the Church of Santo Eloy, similarly in Porto. The church has one nave whose interior is decorated in azulejo, while the roof is supported by wooden beam. The ancillaryCasa do Despachois notable for its window in the Manueline-style.
  • Church of Azurara (Portuguese:Igreja Matriz de Azurara) – located betweenRua Padre Serafim das NevesandRua Nossa Senhora de Fátima,the church was constructed in the 16th century, with large naves (three), rectangular chapel and bell tower. The Manueline portico is built in sculpted rock, with rosettas and with a central coat of arms of King Manuel I. The interior, with its azulejos and gold-leaf altar/sacristy and 17th-century paintings, bely its stark exterior.
  • Roman Church of Saint Christopher of Rio Mau (Portuguese:Igreja de São Cristóvão de Rio Mau), the church is a simple Roman church in a stark Romanesque-style single rectangular body, surmounted by a Templar Cross.
  • Monastery of Saint Clare (Portuguese:Mosteiro de Santa Clara), also referred to as theConvent of Santa Clara,although founded in 1318 by Afonso Sanches and Teresa Martins, is an 18th-century refurbishment, since by the middle of the 17th century the building was in ruins and conditions did not allow the nuns to properly use the building. The remodelling of the building was discontinued after events in the 19th century and the abolition of monastic orders. Between 1936 and 1940, theDGEMN - Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais(English:General Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments) intervened to protect the building, theex-librisof Vila do Conde.
  • Church of the Convent of Santa Clara (Portuguese:Igreja do Convento de Santa Clara) (andthe Founders Tombs), located in theLargo D. Afonso Sanches(Vila do Conde), is a monument constructed in 1318, with traces ofGothic,Manueline,Baroqueand Rococo architectural styles. The church is based in a unique nave and transept of large dimensions, with the interior marked by richly decorated woodwork. The Chapel of the Founders (Portuguese:Capela dos Fundadores) houses the Manueline and Rococo tombs of historical nobility. The chorus is marked by two aisles of seating and paintings, while the high altar is embossed with gold-leaf.

In addition, in the interior (18 km (11 mi) from the beaches) are several examples of prehistoric and Roman structures such as theCastro de São Paio,or the RomancivitasBagunte, in addition to homes and estates of rural gentry, or monastic settlements, such as in Junqueira, Azurara or Vairão.[3][8]

Municipal Theatre.

Culture[edit]

Vila do Conde is the centre of one of the more prestigious fairs of traditional artisans, that include quilts, wool sweaters, ironworks, in addition to needlework.[8]

During the summer, the municipality is known for the several secular and religious celebrations. These include theCurtas Vila do Conde - International Film Festival,theFeira Nacional de Artesanato,theFeira da Gastronomia,theFeira das Actividades Agrícolasand the Festival of São João.[8]Every four years, the religiousFestivals of Corpo de Deusare significant, and known for the road coveredmatsof flowers, used in processions from the circuit the main churches.[8]

Sport[edit]

Rio Ave F.C.is based in the city.

Notable people[edit]

José Régio, 2020

Sport[edit]

Hélder Postiga, 2014

References[edit]

  1. ^Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. ^"Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país".Archived fromthe originalon 2018-11-05.Retrieved2018-11-05.
  3. ^abcdefgCâmara Municipal, ed. (2011)."Estações Arqueológicas do Concelho de Vila do Conde"[Archeological Stations in the Municipality of Vila do Conde] (in Portuguese). Vila do Conde, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Vila do Conde.Retrieved29 March2011.
  4. ^abc"History of Vila do Conde".viladoconde.com.
  5. ^Paiva, Sérgio (6 July 2019)."Toponímia de Vila do Conde (parte 1)"[Toponymy of Vila do Conde (part 1)] (in Portuguese). viladoconde.com.
  6. ^Ignacio de Vilhena Barbosa (1860), p.148
  7. ^"Monastery of Saint Clare".viladoconde.com.
  8. ^abcdefghCâmara Municipal, ed. (2011)."O Concelho"[The Municipality] (in Portuguese). Vila do Conde, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Vila do Conde.Retrieved28 March2011.
  9. ^abcIgnacio de Vilhena Barbosa (1860), p.149
  10. ^Amélia Polónia (2006), p.200
  11. ^abcMaria de Assunção Araújo (1994), p.1
  12. ^abM.A. Arauja et al. (2003), p.96
  13. ^Diário da República."Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 129-130"(PDF)(in Portuguese).Retrieved8 July2014.
  14. ^"Geminações".cm-viladoconde.pt(in Portuguese). Vila do Conde.Retrieved2019-12-11.
  15. ^Manuela Azevedo, IMDb Database.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toVila do Conde.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forVila do Conde.
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