Valença
Encyclopedia
Valença also known as Valença do Minho, is a municipality and a town in Portugal
with a total area of 117.1 km² and a total population of 14,324 inhabitants (2006).
Valença officially became a city on 12 June 2009.
The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Viana do Castelo District.
The present Mayor is Jorge Mendes, elected by the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
The municipal holiday is 18 February.
, approximately 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean
. The municipality is limited to the north with Minho River
establishing the border with Spain
, to south-southeast with the municipality of Paredes de Coura
, to southwest with Vila Nova de Cerveira
and to the east with Monção
.
Linked to the wall rises the new quarter, where buildings such as social facilities, schools, the stadium and sports centre, the health care centre, the municipal market and the municipal swimming pools are located.
Concerning cuisine, Valença offers genuine delicacies such as Lampreia à Minhota (lamprey
), Cabrito à Sanfins (kid), Bacalhau à São Teotónio (dried codfish) and Empanada (meat or fish pie).
to Tui
.
This stronghold was populated by order of King Sancho I
during the 12th century. It was called Contrasta which means "village opposed to another", Tui
(Spain
) in this case. King Afonso III
changed its name to Valença in the 13th century.
Its historical importance is mainly due to military constraints. It had a decisive role for the defense and integrity of Portugal
from the neighbouring Spain
.
Today the town is peacefully invaded by the Spanish
that visits it with commercial and touristic purposes, the Portuguese still use the fortress.
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...
with a total area of 117.1 km² and a total population of 14,324 inhabitants (2006).
Valença officially became a city on 12 June 2009.
The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Viana do Castelo District.
The present Mayor is Jorge Mendes, elected by the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
The municipal holiday is 18 February.
Parishes
- Arão
- Boivão
- Cerdal
- Cristelo Covo
- FontouraFontouraFontoura is a parish in the municipality of Valença, Portugal, with 9.13 km² and 737 inhabitants . Density: 80.7 inhabitants / km².Patron: St. MichaelPopulation: 735 inhabitants and 668 voters at 31-12-2003...
- Friestas
- Gandra
- Ganfei
- Gondomil
- Sanfins
- São Julião
- São Pedro da Torre
- Silva
- Taião
- Valença
- Verdoejo
General information
Valença is a walled town located on the left bank of Minho RiverMinho River
The Minho or Miño is the longest river in Galicia, Spain, with an extension of 340 km.Both names come from Latin Minius...
, approximately 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. The municipality is limited to the north with Minho River
Minho River
The Minho or Miño is the longest river in Galicia, Spain, with an extension of 340 km.Both names come from Latin Minius...
establishing the border with 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...
, to south-southeast with the municipality of Paredes de Coura
Paredes de Coura
Paredes de Coura is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 138.2 km² and a total population of 9,367 inhabitants .The municipality is composed of 21 parishes and is located in the district of Viana do Castelo....
, to southwest with Vila Nova de Cerveira
Vila Nova de Cerveira
Vila Nova de Cerveira is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 108.6 km² and a total population of 8,752 inhabitants .The municipality is composed of 15 parishes and is located in the district of Viana do Castelo....
and to the east with Monção
Monção
Monção is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 211.3 km² and a total population of 19,738 inhabitants .The municipality is composed of 33 freguesias , and is located in the district of Viana do Castelo....
.
Linked to the wall rises the new quarter, where buildings such as social facilities, schools, the stadium and sports centre, the health care centre, the municipal market and the municipal swimming pools are located.
Concerning cuisine, Valença offers genuine delicacies such as Lampreia à Minhota (lamprey
Lamprey
Lampreys are a family of jawless fish, whose adults are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. Translated from an admixture of Latin and Greek, lamprey means stone lickers...
), Cabrito à Sanfins (kid), Bacalhau à São Teotónio (dried codfish) and Empanada (meat or fish pie).
History
Valença origins date back from Roman times. The two existent roman roads are the proof (the Via IV of Antonine Itinerary XIX, of military use, and the designated per loca marítima - Itinerary XX -, of commercial use). Also inside the fortified walls a Roman milestone marks the XLII mile of the road connecting BragaBraga
Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
to Tui
Tui, Galicia
Tui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
.
This stronghold was populated by order of King Sancho I
Sancho I of Portugal
Sancho I , nicknamed the Populator , second monarch of Portugal, was born on 11 November 1154 in Coimbra and died on 26 March 1212 in the same city. He was the second but only surviving legitimate son and fourth child of Afonso I of Portugal by his wife, Maud of Savoy. Sancho succeeded his father...
during the 12th century. It was called Contrasta which means "village opposed to another", Tui
Tui, Galicia
Tui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
(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...
) in this case. King Afonso III
Afonso III of Portugal
Afonso III , or Affonso , Alfonso or Alphonso or Alphonsus , the Bolognian , the fifth King of Portugal and the first to use the title King of Portugal and the Algarve, from 1249...
changed its name to Valença in the 13th century.
Its historical importance is mainly due to military constraints. It had a decisive role for the defense and integrity of 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...
from the neighbouring 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...
.
Today the town is peacefully invaded by the Spanish
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...
that visits it with commercial and touristic purposes, the Portuguese still use the fortress.
Attractions
- The fortress
- The most interesting things to visit are mainly inside the fortress that looks down to the Minho RiverMinho RiverThe Minho or Miño is the longest river in Galicia, Spain, with an extension of 340 km.Both names come from Latin Minius...
and SpainSpainSpain , 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...
. They have been destroyed several times whether it were the Barbarians, the Arabs, the armies of AsturiasAsturiasThe Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
and LeonKingdom of LeónThe Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
or even the FrenchFranceThe 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...
troops in the 19th century, they have always been restored and still very well preserved. - Valença's fortress is a piece of gothic and baroque military architecture. The first walls were built in the 13th century. It was upgraded during the 17th and 18th century forming the present bulwarked system. It is placed on top of two small hills and it is formed by two polygons (the Recinto Magistral and the Coroada) separated by a ditch and with four doors (Coroada, Gaviarra, Fonte da Vila and Sol). The main entrance is Porta do Sol (Sun's door). This door was damaged during the Napoleonic invasions.
- The old international bridge
- In 1879 PortugalPortugalPortugal , 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...
and SpainSpainSpain , 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...
agreed to construct a bi-functional (road and train) bridge. The bridge was built inspired in Eiffel works. The bridge is still in use although a new bridge was built south of the older one.
- Roman milestone
- Located inside the fortress this milestone dates back from the 1st century AD. It has the following inscription:
- TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS CAESER AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS. IMPERATOR V CONSUL III, TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE III. PATER PATRIAE BRACARA XLII.
- It marks 42 miles distance on the road from BragaBragaBraga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
to TuiTui, GaliciaTui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
and the Emperor Claudius ordered its construction when the Via IV of Antonine was rebuilt.
- Church of Saint StephenSaint StephenSaint Stephen The Protomartyr , the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches....
- A romanic church built during the 13th century and a neo-classic rebuilt during the 18th century. Inside several panels representing scenes Saint StephenSaint StephenSaint Stephen The Protomartyr , the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches....
life can be admired.
- Church of Saint Mary of Angels
- Romanic church built during the 12th century. The popular decoration and the ceiling are the eye-catcher.
- The cannons
- Along the north wall several old cannons very well maintained are positioned pointing to the river and SpainSpainSpain , 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...
as if to remind of their old purpose.
- Statue of São Teotónio
- São TeotónioTheotoniusTheotonius was an Augustinian canon and royal advisor. He is noted and famed in Portugal, for being the first Prior of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal...
was the first Portuguese saint. Born near Valença, in Ganfei, he was the confessor of King Afonso HenriquesAfonso I of PortugalAfonso I or Dom Afonso Henriques , more commonly known as Afonso Henriques , nicknamed "the Conqueror" , "the Founder" or "the Great" by the Portuguese, and El-Bortukali and Ibn-Arrik by the Moors whom he fought, was the first King of Portugal...
. He is the village patron saint.
External links
- Municipality official website
- Pousada Valença do Minho
- Casa do Poço Palace
- Quinta Grande Raposeira
- Escola Secundária de Valença (Valença High School) - Website in Portuguese
- Parque Empresarial de Valença - Website in Portuguese
- Valença Radio 91.7 - Website in Portuguese
- A V Minho Bus Company- Local buses and buses to Porto
- Autna Bus Company- Buses to and from Vigo (Spain).