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Viseu

Coordinates:40°40′N7°55′W/ 40.667°N 7.917°W/40.667; -7.917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Portuguese municipality. For other uses, seeViseu (disambiguation).
Viseu
Municipality
Clockwise: View of Viseu; historic center;Igreja da Misericórdia;Praça D. Duarte;Viseu Cathedral.
Flag of Viseu
Flag
Coat of arms of Viseu
Coat of arms
Coordinates:40°40′N7°55′W/ 40.667°N 7.917°W/40.667; -7.917
CountryPortugal
RegionCentro
Intermunic. comm.Viseu Dão Lafões
DistrictViseu
Parishes25
Government
•PresidentFernando Ruas(PSD)
Area
• Total507.10 km2(195.79 sq mi)
Population
(2022)
• Total100,105
• Density200/km2(510/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00(WET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+01:00(WEST)
Local holidaySeptember 21
Websitewww.cm-viseu.pt

Viseu(Portuguese pronunciation:[viˈzew]ⓘ) is a city and municipality in theCentro Regionof Portugal and the capital of thedistrict of the same name,with a population of 100,105 inhabitants[1]in the entire municipality, and center of theViseu Dão Lafõesintermunipical community,with 267,633 inhabitants. Settled during the period of the early IberianCastro culture,the territory of Viseu was populated by a series of cultures including the Romans, Suebs, Visigoths and Moors. During the Roman occupation of Iberia,Viriathus,the rebel leader of theLusitanians,is assumed to have lived for a time in the vicinity. During the Middle Ages, the city often served as a seat forVisigothicnobles (such as KingRoderic), and is considered one of the probable birthplaces ofAfonso Henriques,first King of Portugal.[citation needed]

Viseu is a regional economic hub with a strong wine industry and is the seat of the international conglomerateVisabeira.The city is also a cultural center, home to the nationally acclaimedGrão Vasco Museum,the seat of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Viseu,and a center for higher learning institutions, namely theCatholic University of Portugaland thePolytechnic Institute of Viseu.

History[edit]

The origins of the city of Viseu date back to thepre-Romanperiod, with its name being reconstructed from the indigenous word 'Vissaîegobor' as *Vissaium, perhaps with a latinised suffix.[2]

With itsRomanisationthe settlement gained importance, being at the intersection of a series of Roman roads linkingMérida,Lisbon,andGalicia.

Viseu is associated withViriathus,since it is thought[by whom?]that theLusitanianhero may have been born in this region. After the Roman occupation of the peninsula, under theVisigoths,the settlement was elevated to the status of city and to the seat of a diocese by at least the 6th century.

Middle Ages[edit]

The origins of Viseu extend to proto-history, when migrating groups settled the territory, including the Celts and Lusitanians. Roman colonists settled in these territories during eras of prosperity and peace, leading eventually to Suebic, Gothic and Muslim cultures.[3]The Suebic peoples, by the middle of the 6th century, had already established a community, with a bishop that existed at the suffrage ofRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Braga.[3]With the arrival ofNorth African Muslims,the Visigoths escaped the territory to the distant mountains of Asturias.[3]

The lands of Viseu frequently switched hands between the Christians andMoors,who referred to Viseu as Bazu,[4]and was definitely taken in 1058, due to the victory ofFerdinand I of León.[3]But, his siege left such destruction that only in 1147–1148, during theReconquista,that theDiocese of Viseuhad the conditions to support a bishop.[3]For many years it had been absorbed by the Bishopric of Coimbra, due to the intervention of the priors, including S. Teotónio. Viseu began recuperating its importance as an urban centre;"rapidly, [it] recuperated its lost transitory brilliance or worsened its activities and differentiation social".[3]It was another three centuries of laborious peace that allowed Viseu to grow once more. It was following thedeath of King Ferdinand I,theCastilianssought to enforce (by force-of-arms), its rights to the lands/territories of the County of Portugal.[3]

DuringCountship of Portugal,Viseu served as the seat of the Corte ofHenry, Count of PortugalandCountess Teresa,who granted aforalto the city in 1123. Viseu is one of the possible birthplaces of their sonAfonso Henriquesin 1109. Following the successful defense of his hereditary rights, and supported by nobles and clergy, Afonso Henriques founded the kingdom of Portugal.[3]Viseu was granted a new charter 1187, that was later reinforced by his grandson, KingAfonso II of Portugal,in 1217.

During the1383–85 Crisis,the city was besieged by the forces ofJuan I of Castile,leading to KingJohn I of Portugalstarting construction on a series of defensive fortifications which would continue being built until the reign of KingAfonso V of Portugal.

The city became part of a fiefdom, whenPrince Henry the Navigator,son of KingJohn I of Portugal,was madeDuke of Viseu,in 1415.

In 1475,Vasco Fernandes,a famed artist of thePortuguese Renaissance,was born in the city,

In 1513, KingManuel I of Portugalrenewed the charter of Viseu and a series of works were taken on throughout the city, with the opening of the first square of the city, theRossio.

In the 19th century, a new Municipal Palace was built in the Rossio, significantly altering the flow of the city, moving it away from the medieval center to newer parts of the city.

Geography[edit]

The Church of Mercy or Igreja da Misericórdia.

Viseu is approximately 50 km (31 mi) East of the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by a number of mountains – Leomil,Montemuro,Lapa, Arada,EstrelaandCaramulo– the tops of which are covered with thick layers of snow in Winter time, the district is crossed by a network of rivers and streamlets.

The city of Viseu has an almost central position in relation to the District lying on the so-called Viseu Plateau (in PortuguesePlanalto de Viseu). It is surrounded by a mountainous system constituted to the north by the Leonil, Montemuro, and Lapa hills, to the northeast by the Arado hills, to the south and southeast by theSerra da Estrelaand the Lousã hills and to the west by the Caramulo hills.

The Municipality is characterized by an irregular surface with altitudes ranging between 400 and 700 metres (1,300 and 2,300 feet). With rough terrain, it has numerous water courses. These are found in three basins: the Vouga, theDãoand the Paiva.

Climate[edit]

Situated in a zone of transition, theconcelhohas several micro-climates. TheSerra do Caramulo,located to the west of the city, plays an important role in climatic terms by lessening the influences of the western air masses (although theMondego River's basin makes the penetration easier). Consequently, Viseu's climate is characterized by the existence of high temperature extremes, with cold and wet winters and hot and dry summers.

Viseu has aMediterranean climate(Csb,borderingCsa),[5]with the 1981–2010 averages indicating it just below the 22 °C (72 °F) isotherm.[6]Its inland position and relative altitude contribute to cooler winters than in coastal areas of the country, as well as a relatively largediurnal temperature variationas well as lower averages than more low-lying inland cities in the central-north area of the country such asCastelo Branco.In spite of its inland position, the maritime influence is strong enough for there to be aseasonal lagresulting in September averaging similar temperatures as June for the 1981–2010 reference period. This also applies to October and May. However, temperatures drop sharply in November, resulting in a smaller lag for the winter season. July and August are the driest and hottest months, with daytime highs averaging 29.6 °C (85.3 °F) for both months. Winters are much wetter with an average December precipitation of 203.4 millimetres (8 in).[6]

Climate data for Viseu, 1981-2010 normals and extremes, altitude: 443 m (1,453 ft)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.7
(69.3) 		22.6
(72.7) 		27.6
(81.7) 		30.3
(86.5) 		33.0
(91.4) 		39.0
(102.2) 		40.5
(104.9) 		40.4
(104.7) 		39.6
(103.3) 		31.2
(88.2) 		27.3
(81.1) 		22.5
(72.5) 		40.5
(104.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 11.9
(53.4) 		13.8
(56.8) 		16.9
(62.4) 		17.6
(63.7) 		20.6
(69.1) 		26.2
(79.2) 		29.6
(85.3) 		29.6
(85.3) 		26.1
(79.0) 		20.1
(68.2) 		15.1
(59.2) 		12.7
(54.9) 		20.0
(68.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8) 		8.6
(47.5) 		11.0
(51.8) 		11.9
(53.4) 		14.7
(58.5) 		19.0
(66.2) 		21.7
(71.1) 		21.6
(70.9) 		19.0
(66.2) 		14.7
(58.5) 		10.6
(51.1) 		8.5
(47.3) 		14.0
(57.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0) 		3.3
(37.9) 		5.2
(41.4) 		6.2
(43.2) 		8.8
(47.8) 		11.7
(53.1) 		13.8
(56.8) 		13.5
(56.3) 		11.9
(53.4) 		9.1
(48.4) 		6.0
(42.8) 		4.2
(39.6) 		8.0
(46.4)
Record low °C (°F) −6.6
(20.1) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−5.4
(22.3) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		2.6
(36.7) 		5.3
(41.5) 		6.0
(42.8) 		3.0
(37.4) 		0.7
(33.3) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−7.3
(18.9)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 153.2
(6.03) 		105.6
(4.16) 		79.0
(3.11) 		113.6
(4.47) 		103.0
(4.06) 		35.2
(1.39) 		19.2
(0.76) 		17.8
(0.70) 		66.0
(2.60) 		147.0
(5.79) 		155.5
(6.12) 		203.4
(8.01) 		1,198.5
(47.2)
Source:Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera[6][7]
Climate data forViseu Airport,1981-2010 normals and extremes, altitude: 644 m (2,113 ft)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1) 		21.3
(70.3) 		25.8
(78.4) 		28.3
(82.9) 		33.2
(91.8) 		35.4
(95.7) 		39.4
(102.9) 		38.6
(101.5) 		37.0
(98.6) 		29.4
(84.9) 		23.4
(74.1) 		19.0
(66.2) 		39.4
(102.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7) 		12.3
(54.1) 		15.5
(59.9) 		16.4
(61.5) 		19.4
(66.9) 		24.4
(75.9) 		27.6
(81.7) 		28.0
(82.4) 		23.8
(74.8) 		18.4
(65.1) 		13.3
(55.9) 		10.7
(51.3) 		18.4
(65.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8) 		8.4
(47.1) 		11.0
(51.8) 		11.8
(53.2) 		14.5
(58.1) 		18.7
(65.7) 		21.1
(70.0) 		21.6
(70.9) 		18.5
(65.3) 		14.5
(58.1) 		10.0
(50.0) 		7.7
(45.9) 		13.7
(56.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.8
(38.8) 		4.5
(40.1) 		6.4
(43.5) 		7.1
(44.8) 		9.6
(49.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		15.3
(59.5) 		13.2
(55.8) 		10.7
(51.3) 		6.7
(44.1) 		4.6
(40.3) 		9.1
(48.4)
Record low °C (°F) −4.2
(24.4) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		1.8
(35.2) 		5.6
(42.1) 		7.3
(45.1) 		7.6
(45.7) 		5.8
(42.4) 		2.2
(36.0) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		−6.8
(19.8)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 183.2
(7.21) 		103.5
(4.07) 		98.2
(3.87) 		118.7
(4.67) 		98.2
(3.87) 		37.6
(1.48) 		19.5
(0.77) 		28.5
(1.12) 		60.4
(2.38) 		173.7
(6.84) 		161.8
(6.37) 		201.0
(7.91) 		1,284.3
(50.56)
Source:Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera[8]
Climate data for Viseu, 1971-2000 normals and extremes
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.0
(68.0) 		22.5
(72.5) 		27.4
(81.3) 		30.3
(86.5) 		33.0
(91.4) 		39.0
(102.2) 		40.5
(104.9) 		40.4
(104.7) 		39.6
(103.3) 		31.2
(88.2) 		24.6
(76.3) 		22.5
(72.5) 		40.5
(104.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 11.6
(52.9) 		13.2
(55.8) 		15.9
(60.6) 		17.1
(62.8) 		20.2
(68.4) 		25.4
(77.7) 		29.2
(84.6) 		29.2
(84.6) 		25.9
(78.6) 		19.8
(67.6) 		15.0
(59.0) 		12.4
(54.3) 		19.6
(67.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.9
(44.4) 		8.4
(47.1) 		10.3
(50.5) 		11.5
(52.7) 		14.3
(57.7) 		18.4
(65.1) 		21.4
(70.5) 		21.1
(70.0) 		18.8
(65.8) 		14.2
(57.6) 		10.2
(50.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		13.6
(56.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0) 		3.5
(38.3) 		4.6
(40.3) 		6.0
(42.8) 		8.5
(47.3) 		11.5
(52.7) 		13.5
(56.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		11.7
(53.1) 		8.5
(47.3) 		5.3
(41.5) 		3.8
(38.8) 		7.7
(45.8)
Record low °C (°F) −6.6
(20.1) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−5.4
(22.3) 		−3.8
(25.2) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		2.0
(35.6) 		5.3
(41.5) 		6.0
(42.8) 		2.0
(35.6) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−3.6
(25.5) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−7.3
(18.9)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 155.7
(6.13) 		133.6
(5.26) 		74.8
(2.94) 		105.2
(4.14) 		95.9
(3.78) 		46.1
(1.81) 		19.2
(0.76) 		17.9
(0.70) 		57.0
(2.24) 		133.2
(5.24) 		135.9
(5.35) 		195.4
(7.69) 		1,169.9
(46.04)
Source:Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera[9]

Human geography[edit]

Population of Viseu
(1801–2011)
YearPop.±%
180133,699—
184936,049+7.0%
190054,047+49.9%
193061,140+13.1%
196079,890+30.7%
198183,261+4.2%
199183,601+0.4%
200193,501+11.8%
201199,274+6.2%

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 25civil parishes:[10]

  • Abraveses
  • Barreiros e Cepões
  • Boa Aldeia, Farminhão e Torredeita
  • Bodiosa
  • Calde
  • Campo
  • Cavernães
  • Cota
  • Couto de Baixo e Couto de Cima
  • Faíl e Vila Chã de Sá
  • Fragosela
  • Lordosa
  • Mundão
  • Orgens
  • Povolide
  • Ranhados
  • Repeses e São Salvador
  • Ribafeita
  • Rio de Loba
  • Santos Evos
  • São Cipriano e Vil de Souto
  • São João de Lourosa
  • São Pedro de France
  • Silgueiros
  • Viseu

Due to migration in the 1960s, Viseu suffered a great decline in its population. After the end of thePortuguese Colonial War(1961–1974), with the return of refugees from thePortugueseAfrican coloniesthat achieved independence, and resulting economic and demographic growth, starting at the end of the 1970s, the municipality increased its population by about 10 percent, giving it an estimated population of 83,261 people. Afterwards, a stagnation set in, confirmed by the 1991 census which showed a population of 83,601.

International relations[edit]

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

As of 2023, Viseu istwinnedwith:[11]

Economy[edit]

The city and the region are famous for its wine (Dão Wine) and the Dão Wine Institute, theSolar do Vinho do Dãocan be found in the city. There is also an annual fair, theFeira de São Mateus.Furthermore, Viseu is also known for local handicrafts which include black pottery, bobbin lace, embroidery, and copper and wrought iron articles. With the good connections to major industrial centers and to the ports ofAveiroandLeixões,several industries have been installed in Viseu.Visabeira,a Portugal-based international conglomerate with interests in telecommunications, construction, industry, tourism, real estate and diversified services is headquartered in the city. Viseu also hosts a central hospital (Hospital of São Teotónio), two shopping & cinema complexes (theFórum(2005) and thePalácio do Gelo(2008)), and numerous hostels and hotels in all categories.

Transportation[edit]

The city of Viseu has a bus network – MUV – which operates several lines within the entire municipality and a recently installed funicular connecting the lower city with the upper city. The A25 motorway (formerly called IP5) connects Viseu to the seaport ofAveiroandGuardaand then on toSalamancain Spain. The IP3 and A24, connectingCoimbrawithChaveson the Spanish border, cross Viseu from south to north. Until the nineteen eighties Viseu had railway connections with the coast, but these were closed.

Viseu is now one of the largest cities in Europe without a railway connection. Once it was connected to Aveiro (via theVouga line,a narrow gauge railway), andSanta Comba Dão(on theDão line,another narrow gauge railway), where it had a connection to the Linha da Beira Alta (broad gauge; international). The Dão line closed to passengers in 1988.

The municipality has an airfield – theViseu Airport(code VSE) also known as Lobato, parish of Lordosa, Viseu – that offers scheduled commercial flights to some domestic destinations withAero VIP.

Education[edit]

Viseu is the location of the state-runInstituto Politécnico de Viseuwhich hashigher educationpolytechnicschools of education, technology and management, and agronomy. The city's political and civic groups have been pressuring the national government to upgrade this school into auniversity,but its desire was never achieved. However, there are 2private universityinstitutions, theUniversidade Católica Portuguesaand theInstituto Piaget.Furthermore, since theBologna process,the difference between universities and polytechnics is less relevant, with the exception of some degrees like medicine, economics or law, that are only awarded in universities.

There are three secondary education (the Portuguese equivalent of High School) establishments: theEscola Secundária de Viriato,Escola Secundária Alves MartinsandEscola Secundária Emídio Navarro.

Gallery[edit]

  • Cathedral of Viseu
    Cathedral of Viseu
  • São João da Tarouca convent
    São João da Tarouca convent
  • Viriato Theatre, Portugal
    Viriato Theatre, Portugal
  • Town hall of Viseu
    Town hall of Viseu
  • Towers and façade of the Cathedral
    Towers and façade of the Cathedral
  • Interior of Viseu Cathedral
    Interior of Viseu Cathedral
  • Viseu, Portugal
    Viseu, Portugal
  • Remains of the city wall.
    Remains of the city wall.
  • Altar of Igreja da Misericórdia.
    Altar of Igreja da Misericórdia.
  • View of Viseu
    View of Viseu
  • Viseu's Forum
    Viseu's Forum
  • Palácio do Gelo, Viseu
    Palácio do Gelo, Viseu
  • Bank of Portugal
    Bank of Portugal
  • Town centre of Viseu
    Town centre of Viseu

Notable citizens[edit]

Edward, King of Portugal in Monastery Santa Maria da Vitoria in Batalha

Sport[edit]

Carlos Lopes, 1985

References[edit]

  1. ^"Portal do INE".ine.pt.Retrieved2023-06-28.
  2. ^Ruiz, J. Siles. "Sobre la inscripción lusitano-latina de Visseu". In:Nuevas interpretaciones del Mundo Antiguo: papers in honor of professor José Luis Melena on the occasion of his retirement/ coord. por Elena Redondo Moyano, María José García Soler, 2016. pp. 347-356.ISBN978-84-9082-481-8
  3. ^abcdefghCâmara Municipal, ed. (2015),História(in Portuguese), Viseu, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Viseu, archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2015,retrieved24 September2015
  4. ^Ferreira, Manuel dos Santos da Cerveira Pinto (2004)."A cidade de Lamengo durante o domínio árabe/islâmico"(PDF).O Douro no Garb al-Ândalus: A região de Lamego durante a presença árabe(thesis) (in Portuguese). p. 117.Retrieved2 August2018.{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help)
  5. ^"Viseu, Portugal Climate Summary".Weatherbase.Retrieved21 March2015.
  6. ^abc"Climate Normals for Viseu 1981-2010".IPMA.Retrieved21 March2015.
  7. ^"Plano Municipal de Defesa da Floresta Contra Incêndios"(PDF).Mortágua Municipality.Retrieved27 September2021.
  8. ^"Normal Climatológica – Viseu 1981-2010"(PDF).IPMA.Retrieved17 February2022.
  9. ^"Climate Normals - Viseu 1971-2000"(PDF).Portuguese Institute of Meteorology.Retrieved29 August2020.
  10. ^Diário da República."Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 141-142"(PDF)(in Portuguese).Retrieved5 August2014.
  11. ^Seara."Cidades Geminadas".Câmara Municipal de Viseu(in Portuguese).Retrieved2023-03-01.
  12. ^Prestage, Edgar(1911)."Barros, João de".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 03 (11th ed.). p. 439.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toViseu.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forViseu.
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