Portalegre, Portugal
Encyclopedia
Portalegre is a city in Portalegre Municipality in Portalegre District, Portugal.
The city proper has a population of 15,238.
The municipality has an area of approximately 424 km² and is located on the border of Serra de São Mamede Natural Park
. The urban perimeter comprises a strong industrial tradition, the textile
industry
began in the 17th century, when the Robinson Factory of Cork was built. In 1947 the Manufactory of Portalegre Tapestries
(which have a unique knot
) soon became the ex-libris
of the City, due to the artistic work (the tapestries are based on paintings).
Amongst other traditions there is one called the parade of the "Maias", children dressed in white covered with yellow flowers, walking through the city's narrow streets singing "Maia".
The city proper has a population of 15,238.
The municipality has an area of approximately 424 km² and is located on the border of Serra de São Mamede Natural Park
Serra de São Mamede Natural Park
Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a natural park in Portugal. It is one of the 30 areas which are officially under protection in the country.-Climate:The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which has a strongly Mediterranean climate...
. The urban perimeter comprises a strong industrial tradition, the textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
began in the 17th century, when the Robinson Factory of Cork was built. In 1947 the Manufactory of Portalegre Tapestries
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
(which have a unique knot
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
) soon became the ex-libris
Ex Libris
Ex Libris is a Latin phrase, meaning literally, "from the books". It is often used to indicate ownership of a book, as in "from the books of..." or from the library of...Ex Libris may also refer to:...
of the City, due to the artistic work (the tapestries are based on paintings).
Amongst other traditions there is one called the parade of the "Maias", children dressed in white covered with yellow flowers, walking through the city's narrow streets singing "Maia".