Municipalities of Portugal
Many of the
municipalities of Portugal are older than the country itself. Some cities, towns and villages have twice the age of Portugal, or even more. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in
Europe and in the world. The country was formed as a dependent county of the former
Kingdom of Leon in the
1090's, in
1128 it became an independent county with the support of many Portuguese (to be) cities, and turned into a
kingdom by the year
1139 and into
Republic in
1910.
The
Concelho is the primary
local administrative unit in
Portugal. Concelhos are also known as
municípios (
municipalities), but many of them are mainly rural.
Portugal has an entirely separate system of
cities and
towns. Cities and towns are located in concelhos, but often do not have the same boundaries. In total there are around twice as many cities and towns as there are concelhos.
The Great Lords of the South of the
Minho River (
Braga,
Porto and
Coimbra) had made an alliance with the support of some religious and military orders.
Braga was disputing the Christian supremacy of the Spains with
Santiago de Compostela. Before the invasion of the
Moors, Braga was the Capital of the former kingdom of the
Suevi. Therefore, the independence was granted and the municipalities in Portugal held a great importance in medieval independent Portugal.
The Capital was decided to be
Coimbra,
Braga stayed as capital of the church or
Capital of the Archbishops and
Porto gave the name to the country and was
Capital of Merchants.
As the country grew to the south, taking land back from the Moors,
Lisbon an important, strategic and difficult conquest obtains the status of Capital from Coimbra.
Evora and
Rio de Janeiro (today a
Brazilian city) were, also, for a short period, Capital of
Portugal.
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
áreas metropolitanas (meaning "metropolitan areas") for the two major cities of the country (Lisbon and Porto). However, 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
município ("municipality") is used and also official.
|
Map of Portugal with the invaded municipality of Olivença shown in orange. |
In
1801,
Spain and
France decided to invade Portugal to stop them trading with Britain, an ally of Portugal. A block was made Europe-wide under pressure from
Napoleon, but Portugal didn't join this. Because of this, Spain declared war on Portugal, invading and forcing the country to sign the
Treaty of Badajoz which gave
Olivença to Spain amongst other things.
By
1807, Spain and France had invaded Portugal and the Royal Family fled to
Brazil, a Portuguese colony which was turned into an associated kingdom to Portugal on that occasion. In fact,
Rio de Janeiro became the Capital of the
United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve during the invasion of metropolitan Portugal.
When the war was over, Portugal tried to regain its lost territory. Spain and Portugal, among other nations, participated in the
Congress of Vienna, where Spain, by its honor and will, promised to return the Municipality of Olivença to Portugal and the Treaty of Badajoz was declared officially void. Spain never made good on its promise. For two centuries Portugal has tried to regain
Olivença, sometimes by force, but it has always withdrawn for fear of a new
Peninsular War. To this day there is no official border between the two countries in that region.
The list of Portuguese municipalities is divided by regions or
Metropolitans Areas. The used regions are those used by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, since the country is not officially divided into regions and
districts have fallen in disuse. The list also includes the activities and main attractions of each municipality. Some municipalities share 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, such as Lisbon (two monuments classified) and
Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Douro Vinhateiro and the Paleolitic pictures site) have more than one site.
Portugal has a number of unique hotels known as
Pousadas Históricas, 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 acronym
N.M.. This features among others characterize each municipality, some like the
Pousadas are seen in Portugal as a municipal pride.
Region
Metropolitan Area | Municipality | Observations |
|---|
Azores Islands
pt. Arquipélago dos Açores | Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island | Bullfighting; World Heritage Site |
| Calheta (Azores), São Jorge Island | Bullfighting |
| Corvo, Corvo Island |
| Horta, Faial Island |
| Lagoa (Azores), São Miguel Island |
| Lajes das Flores, Flores Island |
| Lajes do Pico, Pico Island |
| Madalena, Pico Island | Scenery |
| Nordeste, São Miguel Island |
| Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island | Spas |
| Povoação, São Miguel Island | Spas |
| Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island | Fishery |
| Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island | Spas |
| Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island |
| Santa Cruz das Flores, Flores Island |
| São Roque do Pico, Pico Island |
| Velas, São Jorge Island | Scenery; bullfighting |
| Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island |
| Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island |
Formigas Islets
pt. Ilhéus das Formigas |
Alentejo
| Alandroal | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Terena |
| Alcácer do Sal | Scenery; bullfighting; Pousada |
| Aljustrel |
| Almodôvar |
| Alter do Chão | Bullfighting |
| Alvito | Pousada |
| Arraiolos | Pousada |
| Arronches | Scenery |
| Avis |
| Barrancos | Scenery; bullfighting |
| Beja | Pousada; N.M.: Roman Villa of Pisões |
| Borba |
| Campo Maior | N.M.: Castle of Campo Maior, Pre-Historic settlement of Santa Vitória |
| Castelo de Vide | Scenery; spas |
| Castro Verde | Scenery |
| Crato | Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Flor da Rosa |
| Cuba |
| Elvas | N.M.: Castle of Elvas, Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Megalitic Monuments of Elvas |
| Estremoz | Pousada |
| Évora | World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Évoramonte, Cathedral of Évora |
| Ferreira do Alentejo |
| Fronteira | Spas; bullfighting |
| Gavião | N.M.: Castle of Belver |
| Grândola | Scenery |
| Marvão | Scenery; mountains; spas |
| Mértola |
| Monforte | Bullfighting; N.M.: Roman Villa of Torre de Palma |
| Montemor-o-Novo | Scenery; N.M.: Grotto of Escoural |
| Mora | Scenery |
| Moura | Spas; bullfighting; Lagar de Varas do Fojo |
| Mourão |
| Nisa | N.M.: Castle of Amieira do Tejo |
| Odemira | Scenery; fishery |
| Olivença | Occupied by Spain |
| Ourique | Scenery; N.M.: Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola |
| Ponte de Sôr |
| Portalegre | Scenery; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Portalegre |
| Portel |
| Redondo |
| Reguengos de Monsaraz |
| Santiago do Cacém | N.M.: Roman Ruins of Miróbriga |
| Serpa | Scenery |
| Sines | Scenery; fishery |
| Sousel |
| Vendas Novas |
| Viana do Alentejo | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Viana do Alentejo |
| Vidigueira | N.M.: Roman ruins of Villa Áulica and Convent of São Cucufate |
| Vila Viçosa | Pousada |
Algarve
| Albufeira |
| Alcoutim |
| Aljezur | Scenery; fishery |
| Castro Marim |
| Faro | Fishery; N.M.: Roman Villa of Milreu |
| Lagoa (Algarve) | Fishery; bullfighting |
| Lagos | Scenery; fishery |
| Loulé | Scenery; fishery |
| Monchique | Scenery; spas |
| Olhão | Scenery; fishery |
| Portimão | Scenery; fishery; N.M.: Megalitic Monuments of Alcalar |
| São Brás de Alportel |
| Silves |
| Tavira | Mountains; fishery; bullfighting |
| Vila do Bispo | Scenery; fishery; N.M.: Fortress of Sagres, Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe |
| Vila Real de Santo António | Scenery; 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 | Scenery; mountains; spas |
| Covilhã | Scenery; mountains; spas |
| Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo | N.M.: Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar |
| Fornos De Algodres |
| Fundão | Spas |
| Gouveia |
| Guarda | Scenery; N.M.: Cathedral of Guarda |
| Idanha-a-Nova | Spas, N.M.: Roman ruins of Egiptânia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha |
| Manteigas | Scenery; spas |
| Mêda | Spas; N.M.: Castle of Marialva |
| Oleiros |
| Penamacôr |
| Pinhel | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Pinhel |
| Proença-a-Nova | Mountains |
| Sabugal | Scenery; spas |
| Seia | Mountains |
| Sertã |
| Trancoso |
| Vila de Rei |
| Vila Nova de Foz Côa | World Heritage Sites |
| Vila Velha de Ródão |
| Beira Litoral | Águeda |
| Albergaria-a-Velha |
| Anadia | Spas |
| Arganil | Scenery |
| Armamar | World Heritage Site |
| Arouca | Scenery; N.M.: Monastery of Arouca |
| Aveiro | Scenery; 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 | Scenery |
| Cinfães | Mountains |
| Estarreja |
| Figueira da Foz | Scenery; fishery |
| Góis | Mountains |
| Ílhavo | Fishery |
| Lamego | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Ferreirim, Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão |
| Lousã |
| Mangualde | Spas |
| Mealhada | Spas |
| Mira | Fishery |
| Miranda do Corvo |
| Moimenta da Beira |
| Montemor-o-Velho | Scenery; spas; N.M.: Castle of Montemor-o-Velho |
| Mortágua |
| Murtosa | Fishery |
| Nelas | Mountains; spas |
| Oliveira de Azeméis |
| Oliveira do Bairro | Scenery |
| Oliveira de Frades | Mountains |
| Oliveira do Hospital | Spas; Pousada |
| Ovar | Natural beauties; fishery |
| Pampilhosa da Serra | Mountains |
| Penacova | Spas; N.M.: Monastery of Lorvão |
| Penalva do Castelo |
| Penedono |
| Penela | N.M.: Castle of Penela |
| Resende | Spas |
| Santa Comba Dão | Spas |
| Santa Maria da Feira | Spas; N.M.: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira |
| São João da Madeira |
| São João da Pesqueira | World Heritage Site |
| São Pedro do Sul | Spas |
| Sátão |
| Sernancelhe |
| Sever do Vouga |
| Soure | Spas |
| Tábua | Spas |
| Tabuaço | World Heritage Site |
| Tarouca | N.M.: Monastery of São João de Tarouca |
| Tondela | Spas |
| Vagos | Fishery; bullfighting |
| Vale de Cambra |
| Vila Nova de Paiva |
| Vila Nova de Poiares | Bullfighting |
| Viseu |
| Vouzela | Scenery |
| Entre Douro e Minho | Amarante | Spas |
| Amares | Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Rendufe |
| Arcos de Valdevez |
| Baião |
| Barcelos |
| Braga | N.M.: Monastery of Tibães, Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios, 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 |
| Guimarães | Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Palace of the Duckes of Bragança, Castle of Guimarães, Church of São Miguel do Castelo |
| Lousada |
| Marco de Canaveses | Spas; N.M.: Pre-Historic and Roman ruins of Tongobriga |
| Melgaço | Scenery; spas |
| Monção | Scenery; spas |
| Paços de Ferreira |
| Paredes |
| Paredes de Coura |
| Penafiel | Spas |
| Ponte da Barca |
| Ponte de Lima | Scenery; mountains |
| Póvoa de Lanhoso |
| Santo Tirso | Spas |
| Terras de Bouro | Scenery; mountains; spas |
| Trofa |
| Valença |
| Viana do Castelo | Fishery, N.M.: Citânia de Santa Luzia |
| Vieira do Minho | Mountains |
| Vila Nova de Cerveira | Pousada |
| Vila Nova de Famalicão |
| Vila Verde |
| Vizela |
Lisbon Metropolitan Area
pt. Área Metropolitana de Lisboa | Alcochete | Scenery; bullfighting |
| Almada | Scenery; fishery |
| Amadora |
| Azambuja | Bullfighting |
| Barreiro |
| Cascais | Scenery; fishery |
Lisbon
pt. Lisboa | Bullfighting; World Heritage Sites; N.M.: National Palace of Ajuda, Library of Ajuda, Tower of São Vicente de Belém, Monastery of Jenónimos, Cathedral of Lisbon, Church of São Vicente de Fora, Church of Santa Eugrácia and National Panteon |
| Loures |
| Mafra | Fishery; N.M.: Palace and Convent of Mafra |
| Moita | Bullfighting |
| Montijo | Bullfighting |
| Odivelas |
| Oeiras |
| Palmela | Pousada |
| Sesimbra | Scenery; fishery |
| Setúbal | Scenery; fishery; bullfighting; Pousada |
| Seixal |
| Sintra | Scenery; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Sintra |
| Vila Franca de Xira | Scenery; bullfighting |
Madeira Islands
pt. Arquipélago da Madeira | Calheta (Madeira), Madeira Island |
| Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island |
| Funchal, Madeira Island | Scenery; mountains; World Heritage Site |
| Machico, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site |
| Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island |
| Porto Moniz, Madeira Island |
| Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island | Scenery |
| Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island | Scenery |
| Santa Cruz, Madeira Island |
| Santana, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site |
| São Vicente, Madeira Island | World Heritage Site |
Desertas Islands
pt. Ilhas Desertas |
Savage Islands
pt. Ilhas Selvagens |
Porto Metropolitan Area
pt. Área Metropolitana do Porto | Espinho | Fishery |
| Maia |
| Matosinhos | Fishery |
| Gondomar |
| Porto | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Porto |
| Póvoa de Varzim | Fishery; bullfighting |
| Valongo | Scenery |
| Vila do Conde | Fishery |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | Scenery; N.M.: Monastery of Grijó |
| Ribatejo e Oeste | Abrantes |
| Alcanena | Scenery |
| Alenquer | Scenery |
| Almeirim | Bullfighting |
| Alcobaça | Scenery; spas; fishery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Alcobaça |
| Alpiarça |
| Alvaiázere |
| Ansião |
| Arruda dos Vinhos | Bullfighting |
| Batalha | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha |
| Benavente | Scenery; bullfighting |
| Bombarral |
| Cadaval | Scenery; mountains |
| Caldas da Rainha | Spas, fishery |
| Cartaxo | Bullfighting |
| Castanheira de Pera | Mountains |
| Chamusca |
| Constância |
| Coruche | Scenery |
| Entroncamento |
| Figueiró dos Vinhos | Mountains |
| Ferreira do Zêzere | Mountains |
| Golegã | Scenery; bullfighting; N.M.: First Church of Golegã |
| Leiria | Spas, fishery |
| Lourinhã | Fishery |
| Mação | Spas |
| Marinha Grande | Fishery |
| Nazaré | Fishery |
| "bidos | Pousada |
| Ourém | Scenery; spas |
| Pedrogão Grande | Scenery |
| Peniche | Scenery; fishery |
| Pombal | Bullfighting |
| Porto de Mós | Scenery; N.M.: Chapel of São Jorge |
| Rio Maior |
| Salvaterra de Magos |
| Santarém | Scenery; bullfighting; N.M.: Church of Santa maria da Graça de Santarém |
| Sardoal |
| Sobral de Monte Agraço |
| Tomar | World Heritage Site; N.M.: Convent of Christ |
| Torres Novas | Scenery |
| Torres Vedras | Spas; fishery |
| Vila Nova da Barquinha | Bullfighting; N.M.: Castle of Almourol |
| Trás-os-Montes | Alfândega da Fé |
| Alijó | Bullfighting; World Heritage Site |
| Boticas | Spas |
| Bragança |
| Carrazeda de Ansiães | Mountains; spas; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Castle of Ansiães |
| Chaves | Mountains; spas; N.M.: Castle of Monforte |
| Freixo de Espada à Cinta | Scenery; N.M.: First Church of Freixo de Espada à Cinta |
| Macedo de Cavaleiros | Scenery |
| Mesão Frio | Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada |
Miranda do Douro
mirandese Miranda de l Douro | N.M.: Church of Miranda |
| Mirandela |
| Mogadouro |
| Moncorvo | Scenery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: First Church of Torre de Moncorvo |
| Mondim de Basto |
| Montalegre | Scenery; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Montalegre |
| Murça | Spas |
| Peso da Régua | Spas; World Heritage Site |
| Ribeira de Pena |
| Sabrosa | Mountains; World Heritage Site |
| Santa Marta de Penaguião | World Heritage Site |
| Valpaços |
| Vila Flor | Spas |
| Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Spas |
| Vila Real | Scenery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Vila Real, Roman Sanctuary of Panóias |
Vimioso
mirandese Bimioso |
| Vinhais | Scenery; mountains |
*
Political divisions of Portugal*
Cities of Portugal*
Towns of Portugal*
Freguesias of Portugal*
A.N.M.P. Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses *
Lisbon Metropolitan Area *
Porto Metropolitan Area *
Pousadas de Portugal 
