Fundão
Encyclopedia
Fundão is a city in Fundao Municipality
in Portugal
, located in the Castelo Branco District. Fundão is an old city with 8,369 inhabitants, situated at the point where the slope of the Gardunha
range meets the Cova da Beira
plains, 500 metres above sea level. The municipality has a total area of 700.1 square kilometres and 31,297 inhabitants. It is subdivided in 31 parishes. The film festival IMAGO – Young Film and Video Festival, is organised in the town.
, from about 1000 B.C. until its destruction by the Romans
there was a Celtic
Lusitanian
Castro or fortified village in nearby São Brás Mount. The remains of a villa
or agricultural manor house
, workers houses and other associated buildings from the time of the Roman Empire
have been found in the underground of the centre of the current city. This villa was rebuilt as a fortified medieval mansion during the High Middle Ages
.
The history of Fundão is intimately related to that of its originally Jewish, then New-Christian or Marrano
population.
Although the place already was mentioned in documents from 1307 referring 32 houses, the bulk of the population only settled after the 1492 Expulsion of the Jews from Spain by Ferdinand
and Isabella
, many Spanish Jews (sephardic). Close to the border, and already home to significant Jewish minorities the Cova da Beira
region received many refugees. These came to settle in the place of Fundão, which their numbers swelled to that of a city. The influx of Jewish artisans and merchants quickly transformed it into an important commercial and industrial centre. With the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition
shortly thereafter, many Jews and new-Christians were arrested, tortured, executed or had their possessions expropriated. The commercial dynamism of the city was affected.
The place was proclaimed a city in 1580, by its notables after declaring support for the attempt by Dom António, Prior do Crato, to preserve Portuguese independence against the ambitions of the King of Spain
Felipe II
(Felipe I of Portugal). The Municipal Council and autonomy were granted in 1747.
Under the Enlightenment
of the late 18th century the Prime-Minister of Portugal, the Marquis of Pombal abolished the legal restraints on the new-Christians and equiparated them to the old-Christians. He tried to recreate the industrial preeminence of Fundão by founding the Royal Factories (today the City Hall
). These efforts allowed a measure of revival to the wool industries of the city, and cloth was again exported to northern Europe
. The city decayed again after its sack during the (defeated) Napoleonic French
invasions of Portugal, and the following Civil War between supporters of the Liberal
Constitutionalist D. Pedro and his brother Conservative
Absolutist
D. Miguel for the throne.
Around it lies some of the most fertile land in the region, in a large valley (Cova da Beira
), between the Gardunha
and Estrela ranges, where the Zêzere River starts its way towards the Tagus
. The most significant productions are cherries, peach
es, olive oil
, wine
, wood pulp
and vegetables.
Some of the most important wolframite
(most important mineral source of the metal tungsten
) mines in the world are explored within its municipal limits. Other important mines extract lead
and tin
. High quality mineral water
is bottled from several sources.
The Cavleiro tree is a common trade item from this region. It is used in everyday products such as wooden dolls, shoes and bedposts.
Fundão Municipality, Portugal
Fundão Municipality is located in Castelo Branco District, Portugal. It contains the city of Fundão.-Parishes:* Alcaide* Alcaria* Alcongosta* Aldeia de Joanes* Aldeia Nova do Cabo* Alpedrinha* Atalaia do Campo* Barroca* Bogas de Baixo* Bogas de Cima...
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...
, located in the Castelo Branco District. Fundão is an old city with 8,369 inhabitants, situated at the point where the slope of the Gardunha
Gardunha
The Gardunha mountain range , so called by the Moors , is located in central Portugal, in Centro Region, beyond the Serra da Estrela range, giving way to an extensive plain called Cova da Beira. It was covered with vineyards in the time of King Dinis, who reigned in the 13th and 14th centuries...
range meets the Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira is a NUTS3 subregion of Portugal integrated in the NUTS2 Centro region. It lies in the fertile valley between the Serra da Estrela and Gardunha mountains. It covers an area of 1,373 km², with a population of 92,460 inhabitants for a density of 67 hab/km². The major cities are Covilhã ...
plains, 500 metres above sea level. The municipality has a total area of 700.1 square kilometres and 31,297 inhabitants. It is subdivided in 31 parishes. The film festival IMAGO – Young Film and Video Festival, is organised in the town.
History
During the Iron AgeIron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, from about 1000 B.C. until its destruction by the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
there was a Celtic
Celtici
]The Celtici were a Celtic tribe or group of tribes of the Iberian peninsula, inhabiting three definite areas: in what today are the provinces of Alentejo and the Algarve in Portugal; in the Province of Badajoz and north of Province of Huelva in Spain, in the ancient Baeturia; and along the...
Lusitanian
Lusitanian
Lusitanian may refer to:*Lusitanians, an ancient people of western Iberian Peninsula.**Lusitanian language, the language of the ancient Lusitanians.**Lusitanian mythology, the mythology of the ancient Lusitanians....
Castro or fortified village in nearby São Brás Mount. The remains of a villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
or agricultural manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
, workers houses and other associated buildings from the time of the Roman Empire
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....
have been found in the underground of the centre of the current city. This villa was rebuilt as a fortified medieval mansion during the High Middle Ages
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
.
The history of Fundão is intimately related to that of its originally Jewish, then New-Christian or Marrano
Marrano
Marranos were Jews living in the Iberian peninsula who converted to Christianity rather than be expelled but continued to observe rabbinic Judaism in secret...
population.
Although the place already was mentioned in documents from 1307 referring 32 houses, the bulk of the population only settled after the 1492 Expulsion of the Jews from Spain by Ferdinand
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand the Catholic was King of Aragon , Sicily , Naples , Valencia, Sardinia, and Navarre, Count of Barcelona, jure uxoris King of Castile and then regent of that country also from 1508 to his death, in the name of...
and Isabella
Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I was Queen of Castile and León. She and her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon brought stability to both kingdoms that became the basis for the unification of Spain. Later the two laid the foundations for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor...
, many Spanish Jews (sephardic). Close to the border, and already home to significant Jewish minorities the Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira is a NUTS3 subregion of Portugal integrated in the NUTS2 Centro region. It lies in the fertile valley between the Serra da Estrela and Gardunha mountains. It covers an area of 1,373 km², with a population of 92,460 inhabitants for a density of 67 hab/km². The major cities are Covilhã ...
region received many refugees. These came to settle in the place of Fundão, which their numbers swelled to that of a city. The influx of Jewish artisans and merchants quickly transformed it into an important commercial and industrial centre. With the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition
Portuguese Inquisition
The Portuguese Inquisition was formally established in Portugal in 1536 at the request of the King of Portugal, João III. Manuel I had asked for the installation of the Inquisition in 1515 to fulfill the commitment of marriage with Maria of Aragon, but it was only after his death that the Pope...
shortly thereafter, many Jews and new-Christians were arrested, tortured, executed or had their possessions expropriated. The commercial dynamism of the city was affected.
The place was proclaimed a city in 1580, by its notables after declaring support for the attempt by Dom António, Prior do Crato, to preserve Portuguese independence against the ambitions of the King of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Felipe II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
(Felipe I of Portugal). The Municipal Council and autonomy were granted in 1747.
Under the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
of the late 18th century the Prime-Minister of Portugal, the Marquis of Pombal abolished the legal restraints on the new-Christians and equiparated them to the old-Christians. He tried to recreate the industrial preeminence of Fundão by founding the Royal Factories (today the City Hall
City hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
). These efforts allowed a measure of revival to the wool industries of the city, and cloth was again exported to northern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The city decayed again after its sack during the (defeated) Napoleonic French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
invasions of Portugal, and the following Civil War between supporters of the Liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Constitutionalist D. Pedro and his brother Conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
Absolutist
Enlightened absolutism
Enlightened absolutism is a form of absolute monarchy or despotism in which rulers were influenced by the Enlightenment. Enlightened monarchs embraced the principles of the Enlightenment, especially its emphasis upon rationality, and applied them to their territories...
D. Miguel for the throne.
Economy
The town is an important local centre of industry and services.Around it lies some of the most fertile land in the region, in a large valley (Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira
Cova da Beira is a NUTS3 subregion of Portugal integrated in the NUTS2 Centro region. It lies in the fertile valley between the Serra da Estrela and Gardunha mountains. It covers an area of 1,373 km², with a population of 92,460 inhabitants for a density of 67 hab/km². The major cities are Covilhã ...
), between the Gardunha
Gardunha
The Gardunha mountain range , so called by the Moors , is located in central Portugal, in Centro Region, beyond the Serra da Estrela range, giving way to an extensive plain called Cova da Beira. It was covered with vineyards in the time of King Dinis, who reigned in the 13th and 14th centuries...
and Estrela ranges, where the Zêzere River starts its way towards 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...
. The most significant productions are cherries, peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
es, olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
, wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, wood pulp
Wood pulp
Pulp is a lignocellulosic fibrous material prepared by chemically or mechanically separating cellulose fibres from wood, fibre crops or waste paper. Wood pulp is the most common raw material in papermaking.-History:...
and vegetables.
Some of the most important wolframite
Wolframite
Wolframite WO4, is an iron manganese tungstate mineral that is the intermediate between ferberite and huebernite . Along with scheelite, the wolframite series are the most important tungsten ore minerals. Wolframite is found in quartz veins and pegmatites associated with granitic intrusives...
(most important mineral source of the metal tungsten
Tungsten
Tungsten , also known as wolfram , is a chemical element with the chemical symbol W and atomic number 74.A hard, rare metal under standard conditions when uncombined, tungsten is found naturally on Earth only in chemical compounds. It was identified as a new element in 1781, and first isolated as...
) mines in the world are explored within its municipal limits. Other important mines extract lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
. High quality mineral water
Mineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
is bottled from several sources.
The Cavleiro tree is a common trade item from this region. It is used in everyday products such as wooden dolls, shoes and bedposts.