Aldeia do Mato

Aldeia do Mato
Former Civil Parish
Official name: Freguesia da Aldeia do Mato
Name origin: Portuguese for hamlet of the hinterland
Country  Portugal
Region Centro
Sub-region Médio Tejo
District Santarém
Municipality Abrantes
Localities Aldeia do Mato, Bairros Cimeiro, Cabeça Gorda, Carreira do Mato, Casinha, Fundeiro, Medroa, Pucariça, Vale de Chões, Vale Manso
River Zêzere
Center Aldeia do Mato
 - coordinates PT 39°32′32″N 8°16′18″W / 39.54222°N 8.27167°W / 39.54222; -8.27167Coordinates: PT 39°32′32″N 8°16′18″W / 39.54222°N 8.27167°W / 39.54222; -8.27167
Area 31.68 km2 (12 sq mi)
Population 441 (2011)
Density 14/km2 (36/sq mi)
LAU Junta Freguesia
 - location Largo Rossio, Vale Vinha
President Junta João Carlos Caseiro Gomes (PPD-PSD)
President Assembleia Licínia Raquel dos Santos Gomes (PPD-PSD)
Timezone WET (UTC0)
 - summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1)
Postal Zone 2200-601
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 241 XXX-XXXX
Patron Saint Santa Maria Madalena
Wikimedia Commons: Aldeia do Mato (Abrantes)
Statistics from INE (2001); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)

Aldeia do Mato is a former civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Aldeia do Mato e Souto.[1] The population in 2011 was 441,[2] in an area of 31.68 km².[3]

History

The parish had its beginning in the 13th century, when the area was then referred to as Aldeia da Mata, and recognized for the quantity of wood gathered in the district (aldeia da mata is Portuguese for hamlet of the hinterland).[4] It was also recognized for the land rents obtained from cultivation and harvesting of olive and pine trees.[4]

The parochial church, dedicated to Santa Maria Madalena had its origin in the 18th century.[5]

A marble cross was located near the two fountains of São João and São José, and later restored in 1850.[6]

The construction of the Barregem do Castelo do Bode (Castelo do Bode Dam) in 1951, caused the disappearance of the fields of olive trees which were lost to make way for the new reservoir.[4]

Geography

Castelo do Bodo Dam, providing electrical power and leisure activities in the parish of Aldeia do Mato since the 1950s
Part of the reservoir system at Castelo do Bode in Aldeia do Mato

The parish is located in the northeastern part of the municipality, neighboring the parishes of Souto (to the northeast and east), Martinchel (to the west), São Vicente (in the east) and Rio de Moinhos (along the west) and with the municipalities of Tomar (to the north) and Constância (to the east).

Ecoregions/Protected areas

Economy

Between 50-60 percent of the lands in the parish remain dedicated to cultivation of trees for harvesting, primarily pine but gradually eucalyptus, for its rapid growth.

Architecture

Civic

Religious

Culture

The region is known for its culinary; in addition to several restaurants, the local peoples of the region are known for their broas de santos and bolo de fugas.

Locally, the annual festival season is marked by the festival of Aldeia do Mato (on the last weekend of July), Cabeça Gorda (the second weekend of August), and the festival of Carreira do Mato (fourth weekend in August).

References

  1. Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 4" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  2. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  3. Eurostat
  4. 1 2 3 Câmara Municipal, ed. (2010), Aldeia do Mato: Freguesia (in Portuguese), Abrantes, Portugal: Câmara Municipal of Abrantes
  5. 1 2 Matias, Cecília (2006), SIPA, ed., Igreja Paroquial de Aldeia do Mato/Igreja de Santa Maria Madalena (PT031401010102) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 28 January 2013
  6. 1 2 Matias, Cecília (2006), SIPA, ed., Cruzeiro de Aldeia do Mato (PT031401010101) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 28 January 2013
  7. Figueiredo, Paula (2011), SIPA, ed., Igreja de Carreira do Mato (PT031401010122) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 28 January 2013
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.