São João (Abrantes)
Encyclopedia
São João, or São João Baptista, is a Portuguese
civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District. It is one of the three parishes that make-up the urbanized area of the city. The parish has a population of 1850 inhabitants and a total area of 2.27 km², being the smallest parish in the municipality.
to the Order of Santiago de la Espada in 1173, but donated the fish channel to the Monastery of Lorvão
, three years later. His charity was partly to support its residents, but also allowed the King to obtain a tithe
equivalent to nine-tenths of the catch. In 1179, Afonso Henriques conceded a foral
to Abrantes, which was later confirmed by King Afonso II in 1217. On 24 April 1281, King Denis
donated the Abrantes to his wife, Queen Elizabeth of Aragon
, while still expanding the fort, that included the construction the detention block. Attempting to expand the settlement, the King expanded its jurisdiction by including Punhete (today Constância
) within its borders.
During the 17th/18th Century Abrantes was an important military center, classified a Praça de Guerra de 1.ª Ordem (War Plaza of the First Order).
In 1807, during the Napoleonic Invasions
of the peninsula, the fort and parish was a staging point for Marshall Jean-Andoche Junot
's troops (23 November). Later, Marshall André Massena
's forces encircled the fort and settlement, but the Anglo-Portuguese troops and local inhabitants defended the parish, until he was forced to abandon Portugal for Spain.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist was founded in 1300, by Elizabeth of Aragon
, and the settlement was elevated to parish shortly after (in 1326). It was from this church that King John I
departed for Aljubarrota, after mass, on 8 August 1385, making a promise to return and say prayers of thanksgiving for his success in battle. With his victory conceived, John I returned and ordered a sculpture in rock erected of the image of John the Baptist
.
(to the east), Rossio ao Sul do Tejo
(to the southwest), São Miguel do Rio Torto
(to the southwest) and São Vicente
(in the northwest).
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...
civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District. It is one of the three parishes that make-up the urbanized area of the city. The parish has a population of 1850 inhabitants and a total area of 2.27 km², being the smallest parish in the municipality.
History
The origin of São João has its base in the early settlement of Abrantes, which was first documented in 1176. Afonso Henriques donated its castleAbrantes Castle
The Castle of Abrantes overlooks the city of Abrantes, in the municipality of Abrantes in the district of Santarém, Ribatejo, divided between the two civil parishes of São João and São Vicente...
to the Order of Santiago de la Espada in 1173, but donated the fish channel to the Monastery of Lorvão
Lorvão
Lorvão is a parish in Penacova Municipality, Portugal....
, three years later. His charity was partly to support its residents, but also allowed the King to obtain a tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
equivalent to nine-tenths of the catch. In 1179, Afonso Henriques conceded 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 ....
to Abrantes, which was later confirmed by King Afonso II in 1217. On 24 April 1281, King Denis
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
donated the Abrantes to his wife, Queen Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon, also known as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, T.O.S.F. , was queen consort of Portugal, a tertiary of the Franciscan Order and is venerated as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.-Biography:Elizabeth was a descendant of one of the most powerful families in Europe:...
, while still expanding the fort, that included the construction the detention block. Attempting to expand the settlement, the King expanded its jurisdiction by including Punhete (today Constância
Constância
Constância is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 80.4 km² and a total population of 3796 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 3 parishes, and is located in Santarém District....
) within its borders.
During the 17th/18th Century Abrantes was an important military center, classified a Praça de Guerra de 1.ª Ordem (War Plaza of the First Order).
In 1807, during the Napoleonic Invasions
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...
of the peninsula, the fort and parish was a staging point for Marshall 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:...
's troops (23 November). Later, Marshall André Massena
André Masséna
André Masséna 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
's forces encircled the fort and settlement, but the Anglo-Portuguese troops and local inhabitants defended the parish, until he was forced to abandon Portugal for Spain.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist was founded in 1300, by Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon, also known as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, T.O.S.F. , was queen consort of Portugal, a tertiary of the Franciscan Order and is venerated as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.-Biography:Elizabeth was a descendant of one of the most powerful families in Europe:...
, and the settlement was elevated to parish shortly after (in 1326). It was from this church that King John I
John I of Portugal
John I KG , called the Good or of Happy Memory, more rarely and outside Portugal the Bastard, was the tenth King of Portugal and the Algarve and the first to use the title Lord of Ceuta...
departed for Aljubarrota, after mass, on 8 August 1385, making a promise to return and say prayers of thanksgiving for his success in battle. With his victory conceived, John I returned and ordered a sculpture in rock erected of the image of John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
.
Geography
The parish is a circular administrative division located on the northern margin of the Tagus River, representing the southern border of the city of Abrantes. Its neighbors include the parish of AlferraredeAlferrarede
Alferrarede is a Portuguese civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District, with a population of 3831 inhabitants dispersed within an area of 23.62 km²; it is the eleventh largest parish, third largest population centre and fifth largest population...
(to the east), Rossio ao Sul do Tejo
Rossio ao Sul do Tejo
Rossio ao Sul do Tejo is a Portuguese parish, located in Abrantes Municipality, Santarém District. It stands on the left bank of the Tagus River. The parish has a population of 2,227 inhabitants and a total area of ....
(to the southwest), São Miguel do Rio Torto
São Miguel do Rio Torto
São Miguel do Rio Torto is a Portuguese parish, located in Abrantes Municipality, in Santarém District. It stands on the left bank of the Tagus River...
(to the southwest) and São Vicente
São Vicente (Abrantes)
São Vicente is a Portuguese civil parish, located in municipality of Abrantes, in the older Santarém District, and which includes the northern part of the city of Abrantes...
(in the northwest).
Religious
- Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo (Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of the Castle)
- Igreja de São João Baptista (Church of Saint John the Baptist)
- Igreja da Misercórdia (Church of Forgiveness)
- Convento de São Domingos (Convent of Saint DominicSaint DominicSaint Dominic , also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans or Order of Preachers , a Catholic religious order...
)