Bombarral
Encyclopedia
Bombarral is a Portuguese
municipality in the Oeste Subregion and Leiria District, of central Portugal. With an area of 90.44 square kilometres (34.9 sq mi) and approximately 13,325 inhabitants (2001 Census), it includes five civil parishes that provide local services. Its municipal seat is the town of Bombarral
.
fortifications of Columbeira and the Castro de São Mamede.
Most documented references to Bombarral begin in the 14th century, when the area was under the dominion of the Monastery of Alcobaça.
With the creation of Portugal, King Afonso Henriques donated the lands to Cistercian monks, around 1153. Before, the Battle of Aljubarrota
King John of Portugal
stayed in Bombarral with his Knight, Luís Henriques, in the strong-house that would later be converted into the municipality's council hall.
In the 18th century it was recognized as "Queens lands", and part of the municipality of Cadaval until 1852. During the Peninsular War
, 15000 Anglo-Portuguese troops confronted a much smaller army of French infantry and cavalry (5000 total) in Roliça in the first engagement by British forces. The Battle of Roliça
, along the northern frontier with Óbidos, was a confrontation between English General Arthur Wellesley
and French General Henri François, Comte Delaborde
, who were sent by General Jean-Andoche Junot
, to harass and hold British forces until a much larger force could confront the English. The valleys and gullies of Roliça allowed the small French contingent to confront the much larger British force, yet they were unable to defeat them. Although successful, Wellesley did not press the fleeing French troops (who withdrew to Montachique near Torres Vedras), and instead went to support the landing of 4000 troops arriving from England along the coast.
Until 1914, Bombarral was a region of its neighbour Óbidos.
, to the northeast by Caldas da Rainha, southeast by Cadaval and west by Lourinhã.
Bombarral is situated on an alluvial plain that is fertile, with a gentle topography of lowlands.
Administratively, it is composed of five parishes, including:
The A8 is the primary thoroughfare connecting Bombarral with its neighbours.
with: Nampula
, Mozambique
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...
municipality in the Oeste Subregion and Leiria District, of central Portugal. With an area of 90.44 square kilometres (34.9 sq mi) and approximately 13,325 inhabitants (2001 Census), it includes five civil parishes that provide local services. Its municipal seat is the town of Bombarral
Bombarral
Bombarral is a Portuguese municipality in the Oeste Subregion and Leiria District, of central Portugal. With an area of and approximately 13,325 inhabitants , it includes five civil parishes that provide local services...
.
History
It is known that the area of Bombarral was occupied during the geological period, and there exist vestiges of human settlement throughout the municipality, including pre-historic remnants in Gruta Nova, Lapa do Suão and 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...
fortifications of Columbeira and the Castro de São Mamede.
Most documented references to Bombarral begin in the 14th century, when the area was under the dominion of the Monastery of Alcobaça.
With the creation of Portugal, King Afonso Henriques donated the lands to Cistercian monks, around 1153. Before, the Battle of Aljubarrota
Battle of Aljubarrota
The Battle of Aljubarrota was a battle fought between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile on 14 August 1385. Forces commanded by King John I of Portugal and his general Nuno Álvares Pereira, with the support of English allies, opposed the army of King John I of Castile with its...
King John of Portugal
John of Portugal
John of Portugal is the name of several Portuguese kings and other members of the Portuguese Royal Family:-Kings:* John I of Portugal * John II of Portugal * John III of Portugal * John IV of Portugal...
stayed in Bombarral with his Knight, Luís Henriques, in the strong-house that would later be converted into the municipality's council hall.
In the 18th century it was recognized as "Queens lands", and part of the municipality of Cadaval until 1852. During the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, 15000 Anglo-Portuguese troops confronted a much smaller army of French infantry and cavalry (5000 total) in Roliça in the first engagement by British forces. The Battle of Roliça
Battle of Roliça
In the Battle of Roliça an Anglo-Portuguese army under Sir Arthur Wellesley defeated an outnumbered French army under General Henri Delaborde, near the village of Roliça in Portugal. The French retired in good order...
, along the northern frontier with Óbidos, was a confrontation between English General Arthur Wellesley
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
and French General Henri François, Comte Delaborde
Henri Delaborde
Henri François Delaborde was a French general in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars.-Early career:He was the son of a baker of Dijon. In 1783, Delaborde joined the Regiment of Condé as a private...
, who were sent by General Jean-Andoche Junot
Jean-Andoche Junot
Jean-Andoche Junot, 1st Duke of Abrantès was a French general during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.-Early life:...
, to harass and hold British forces until a much larger force could confront the English. The valleys and gullies of Roliça allowed the small French contingent to confront the much larger British force, yet they were unable to defeat them. Although successful, Wellesley did not press the fleeing French troops (who withdrew to Montachique near Torres Vedras), and instead went to support the landing of 4000 troops arriving from England along the coast.
Until 1914, Bombarral was a region of its neighbour Óbidos.
Geography
Physical geography
Bombarral is situated in a privileged geographic region in the extreme southern part of the District of Leiria, in the centre of Western Tourist Region , 75 kilomtres from Lisbon and 20 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. The municipality is limited to the north by the municipalities of ÓbidosÓbidos Municipality
Óbidos is a municipality of 10,875 inhabitants , in the Oeste Subregion of the Centro Region in continental Portugal , its municipal seat is the town of Óbidos...
, to the northeast by Caldas da Rainha, southeast by Cadaval and west by Lourinhã.
Bombarral is situated on an alluvial plain that is fertile, with a gentle topography of lowlands.
Human geography
Administratively, it is composed of five parishes, including:
- Bombarral
- Carvalhal
- Pó
- Roliça
- Vale Covo
The A8 is the primary thoroughfare connecting Bombarral with its neighbours.
Twin towns — Sister cities
Bombarral is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Nampula
Nampula
Nampula is the capital city of Nampula Province in Mozambique.It has a population of 471,717 making it the third largest city in Mozambique after Maputo and Beira. It is home to the Mozambique National Ethnographic Museum, several markets, cathedrals and mosques.It is also the center of business...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...