Almada
Encyclopedia
Almada is a municipality
in Portugal
, covering an area of 70.2 km² located on the southern margin of the Tagus River. Its municipal population in 2008 was 164,844 inhabitants; the urbanized center had a population of 102,357.
The seat is the city of Almada
.
, approximately 5000 years ago; archeological interventions performed in the municipality suggest that nomadic tribes may have existed, they were sporadic and non-sedentary.
The initial structure of primitive human settlement, had its greatest advance with the Islamic civilization, when Muslims selected Almada to construct a fort in order to defend and monitor the entrance to the Tagus River. Across from Lisbon, the area of Almada was a crossroads of many peoples (Phoenicians, Roman
and Muslim
) who traded and mixed along the Tagus.
As one of the principal Arab military bases along the southern margin of the Tagus (Arabic: حصن المعدن), it was conquered by the Christian forces of D. Afonso Henriques, with the aid of English
Crusaders
in 1147. Alongside these Christians there lived many free Moors and Jews, under Royal protection guaranteed them by D. Afonso Henriques in a Charter 1170 (and which was attributed to all the former-Moorish strongholds around Lisbon, Almada, Palmela and Alcácer alone).
Almada received a foral
from Dom Sancho I
in 1190. But, this came at a price: Miramolim Jacub-Abu-Jassuf, son of the Moorish leader that had laid siege on Santarém in 1171, and angered by the Christian victories, gathered a large army and boldly attacked into the north conquering Alcácer do Sal
and Silves
, while forcing the residents of Almada, Palmela and other towns along the River into hiding. It would be some time after the death of Sancho, before the area across the Tagus would be restored to Portuguese control.
When it did, the Order of Santiago
, donatorio
of Almada afte 28 October 1186, had an important role in the territory (and especially between the Tagus and Sado River
s). In their role, it facilitated the re-population of acquired territories, and economically, were the beneficiaries of various local economies.
, south by Sesimbra
, and bordered on the remaining cardinal directions by the Atlantic Ocean
and the Tagus
river. At Cacilhas, the main port, ferry boats transport visitors and local residents across to Lisbon daily, while the 25 de Abril Bridge
which spans the Tagus is routinely traversed by rail, commercial and personal vehicles daily; Almada is considered a transportation hub and a fast-growing suburb. Almada's coasts are punctuated by several sandy beaches and panoramic vistas.
Located in the old district of Setúbal
, the municipality includes two cities (Almada and Costa da Caparica), and is divided into eleven civil parishes:
The city of Almada is the municipal seat, that includes six parishes within the city limits: Almada, Cacilhas, Cova da Piedade, Feijo, Laranjeiro, Pragal.
, Angola
Sal
, Cape Verde
Regla, Cuba
links Lisbon and Almada, which are on opposite sides of the Tagus river. The municipality is being served by a light-rail transit system, the Metro Transportes do Sul
, that continues to be expanded, linking it to the suburban rail system serving Greater Lisbon and the municipality of Seixal.
Municipalities of Portugal
In Portugal, municipality or concelho is the most stable subdivision of Portugal since the foundation of the country.Portugal has an entirely separate system of cities and towns. Cities and towns are located in municipalities, but often do not have the same boundaries, even if built-up is continuous...
in Portugal
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...
, covering an area of 70.2 km² located on the southern margin of the Tagus River. Its municipal population in 2008 was 164,844 inhabitants; the urbanized center had a population of 102,357.
The seat is the city of Almada
Almada
Almada is a municipality in Portugal, covering an area of 70.2 km² located on the southern margin of the Tagus River. Its municipal population in 2008 was 164,844 inhabitants; the urbanized center had a population of 102,357.The seat is the city of Almada....
.
History
Human presence in the area of Almada dates back to the end of the NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
, approximately 5000 years ago; archeological interventions performed in the municipality suggest that nomadic tribes may have existed, they were sporadic and non-sedentary.
The initial structure of primitive human settlement, had its greatest advance with the Islamic civilization, when Muslims selected Almada to construct a fort in order to defend and monitor the entrance to the Tagus River. Across from Lisbon, the area of Almada was a crossroads of many peoples (Phoenicians, Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
) who traded and mixed along the Tagus.
As one of the principal Arab military bases along the southern margin of the Tagus (Arabic: حصن المعدن), it was conquered by the Christian forces of D. Afonso Henriques, with the aid of English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
in 1147. Alongside these Christians there lived many free Moors and Jews, under Royal protection guaranteed them by D. Afonso Henriques in a Charter 1170 (and which was attributed to all the former-Moorish strongholds around Lisbon, Almada, Palmela and Alcácer alone).
Almada received 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 ....
from Dom Sancho I
Sancho I of Portugal
Sancho I , nicknamed the Populator , second monarch of Portugal, was born on 11 November 1154 in Coimbra and died on 26 March 1212 in the same city. He was the second but only surviving legitimate son and fourth child of Afonso I of Portugal by his wife, Maud of Savoy. Sancho succeeded his father...
in 1190. But, this came at a price: Miramolim Jacub-Abu-Jassuf, son of the Moorish leader that had laid siege on Santarém in 1171, and angered by the Christian victories, gathered a large army and boldly attacked into the north conquering Alcácer do Sal
Alcácer do Sal
Alcácer do Sal is a municipality in Portugal, located in Setúbal District. It has a total area of and a total population of 13,624 inhabitants.-History :-Earliest settlement:...
and Silves
Silves
Silves is a town and a municipality in the Algarve, southern Portugal. The city has a population of 10,800 inhabitants and the municipality reaches 33,830 . The municipality of Silves is part of the district of Faro...
, while forcing the residents of Almada, Palmela and other towns along the River into hiding. It would be some time after the death of Sancho, before the area across the Tagus would be restored to Portuguese control.
When it did, the Order of Santiago
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
, donatorio
Donatorio
A Donatário, a Portuguese word roughly meaning 'endowed' sometimes anglicized as Donatary, was a private person who was bestowed by the Crown with a considerable piece of land, called a donátaria, which was handed over at his discretion, exempt from normal colonial administration through some...
of Almada afte 28 October 1186, had an important role in the territory (and especially between the Tagus and Sado River
Sado River
The Sado River is a river in Southern Portugal, and is one of the major rivers in the country. It flows in a South/North direction through 175 km from its springs in the Caldeirão hills before entering the Atlantic Ocean in an estuary in the city of Setúbal.In Setúbal, its estuary is famous...
s). In their role, it facilitated the re-population of acquired territories, and economically, were the beneficiaries of various local economies.
Geography
Although small, Almada is densely populated, and limited to the east by SeixalSeixal
Seixal is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 96.0 km² and a total population of 161,327 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 6 parishes, and is located in Setúbal District....
, south by Sesimbra
Sesimbra
-References:Bibliography*The Rough Guide to Portugal; 11th edition, March 2005; ISBN 1-84353-438-X*Rentes de Carvalho, J. - Portugal, um guia para amigos ; De Arbeiderspers, 9th ed. August 1999; ISBN 90-295-3457-5Notes...
, and bordered on the remaining cardinal directions by the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and the Tagus
Tagus
The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is long, in Spain, along the border between Portugal and Spain and in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. It drains an area of . The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course...
river. At Cacilhas, the main port, ferry boats transport visitors and local residents across to Lisbon daily, while the 25 de Abril Bridge
25 de Abril Bridge
The 25 de Abril Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tejo river. It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966 and a train platform was added in 1999...
which spans the Tagus is routinely traversed by rail, commercial and personal vehicles daily; Almada is considered a transportation hub and a fast-growing suburb. Almada's coasts are punctuated by several sandy beaches and panoramic vistas.
Located in the old district of Setúbal
Setúbal (district)
The District of Setúbal is located in the south-west of Portugal, the District Capital is the city of Setúbal.It is delimited by Lisbon District and Santarém District on the north, Évora District on the east, Beja District on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the west...
, the municipality includes two cities (Almada and Costa da Caparica), and is divided into eleven civil parishes:
- AlmadaAlmada (parish)Almada is a Portuguese parish, located in Almada Municipality. It has a population of 19,514 inhabitants and a total area of 1.42 km².It is one of the six parishes in the city of Almada and seat of Almada Municipality....
- CacilhasCacilhasCacilhas is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality and city of Almada. It has a population of 6,970. all cacilhas inhabitants and a total area of 0.97 km²....
- CaparicaCaparica (Almada)Caparica is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 19,327 inhabitants and a total area of 10.71 km². Its name of inhabitants are known as Caparicanos.-Name:...
- Charneca da CaparicaCharneca da CaparicaCharneca da Caparica is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 20,419 inhabitants and a total area of 22.33 km². The parish hall is headquarterd at 17 Rua Marco Cabaço...
- Costa da CaparicaCosta da CaparicaCosta da Caparica is a Portuguese city and a parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 11,707 inhabitants and a total area of 10.88 km². Costa da Caparica is a city since December 2004.-Beaches:...
- Cova da PiedadeCova da PiedadeCova da Piedade is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada and founded on February 7, 1928. It has a population of 21,154 inhabitants and a total area of 1.28 km². With a population density of 16,527 inhabitants/km², the parish is one of the most densely populated in the...
- FeijóFeijó (Almada)Feijó is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 16,072 inhabitants and a total area of 4.20 km². It is partly in Almada.-History:...
- LaranjeiroLaranjeiroLaranjeiro is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 21,175 inhabitants, for a total area of 3.66 km²....
- PragalPragalPragal is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 7,721 inhabitants and a total area of 2.21 km².It is one the six parishes in the city of Almada, along with Almada, Cacilhas, Cova da Piedade, Feijó and Laranjeiro.Overlooking the Tagus river and the...
- SobredaSobredaSobreda is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 14 000 inhabitants and a total area of 6.64 km²....
- TrafariaTrafariaTrafaria is a Portuguese town and a parish, located in the municipality of Almada. It has a population of 5,946 inhabitants and a total area of 5.83 km²....
The city of Almada is the municipal seat, that includes six parishes within the city limits: Almada, Cacilhas, Cova da Piedade, Feijo, Laranjeiro, Pragal.
Twin towns - Sister cities
Almada is twinned with: Porto AmboimPorto Amboim
Porto Amboim is a port town in Angola with a population of 65,000; it comprises an area of 4,638 km². It is connected by an isolated 123 km 610mm narrow gauge railway to Gabela, albeit closed in 1987 due to the civil war and to the abandonment of most coffee plantations, the biggest...
, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
Sal
Sal, Cape Verde
Sal is an island in Cape Verde. It belongs to the northern group of islands, called Barlavento. The island is composed by a single administrative division, the Sal municipality. The island is home to Amílcar Cabral International Airport, the main airport of Cape Verde.- Geography :The island is...
, Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
Regla, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
Transportation
The 25 de Abril Bridge25 de Abril Bridge
The 25 de Abril Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tejo river. It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966 and a train platform was added in 1999...
links Lisbon and Almada, which are on opposite sides of the Tagus river. The municipality is being served by a light-rail transit system, the Metro Transportes do Sul
Metro Transportes do Sul
The Metro Transportes Sul do Tejo is a light rail system that provides the Almada and Seixal municipalities, Portugal with mass-transit services.-Lines:MTS has three lines:*Line 1: Cacilhas — Corroios*Line 2: Corroios — Pragal...
, that continues to be expanded, linking it to the suburban rail system serving Greater Lisbon and the municipality of Seixal.
Notable citizens
- Anabela Braz Pires, better known as AnabelaAnabelaAnabela Braz Pires is a Portuguese singer and musical theatre actress, best known in Portugal by her first name, Anabela....
, (born 22 September 1976) is a singer and musical theatre actress; - Da WeaselDa WeaselDa Weasel was a Portuguese hip-hop band from Almada, fronted by MCs Pacman and Virgul. They were one of the oldest hip-hop projects in Portugal, having been created in 1993 and terminated in 2010, and notorious for being a full session band, instead of relying on a DJ and samples...
, formed in 1993, is a hip-hop band; - Ava InferiAva InferiAva Inferi is a musical group created in Almada, Portugal, by guitarist and songwriter Rune Eriksen .The debut album, Burdens, was released in January 2006....
, is a Doom Metal BandDoom metalDoom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
; - Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, better known as FigoLuís FigoLuís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
, (born 4 November 1972), is a former football player; - Telma MonteiroTelma MonteiroTelma Monteiro is a Portuguese judoka from the city of Almada. She is currently in the number two spot on the world ranking list. She is also a multi-time medal winner in both World and European Championships and Cups. She won silver medals in the last European and World Championships.Since July...
(born 27 December 1985) is a world champion judoka; - Xutos e Pontapes, formed in 1978, is a Rock bandRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
;