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Many of the municipalities of Portugal are older than the country itself. Some cities, towns and villages have twice the age of Portugal, or even more. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and in the world. The country was formed as a dependent county of the former Kingdom of Leon in the 1090's, in 1128 became an independent county with the support of many Portuguese (to be) cities, and turned into a kingdom by the year 1139 and into Republic in 1910.
The Great Lords of the South of the Minho River (Braga, Porto and Coimbra) had made an alliance with the support of some religious and military orders. Braga was disputing the Christian supremacy of the Spains with Santiago de Compostela. Before the invasion of the Moors, Braga was the Capital of the former kingdom of the Suevi. Therefore, the independence was granted and the municipalities in Portugal held a great importance in medieval independent Portugal.
The Capital was decided to be Coimbra, Braga stayed as capital of the church or Capital of the Archbishops and Porto gave the name to the country and was Capital of Merchants.
As the country grew to the south, taking land back from the Moors, Lisbon an important, strategic and difficult conquest obtains the status of Capital from Coimbra. Evora and Rio de Janeiro (today a Brazilian city) were, also, for a short period, Capital of Portugal.
By the 19th century, the republicans promised a federal organization for the Portuguese territory -- that the country would become a municipal republic. When the Republic was formed, however, they didn't adopt what they promised for almost half a century.
Later in the end of the 20th century, democracy has granted more independence to municipalities. And, the formation of two super municipalities, known as áreas metropolitanas (meaning "metropolitan areas") for the two major cities of the country (Lisbon and Porto). However, there has been discussions of the creation of three new metropolitan areas for the cities around Aveiro, Leiria and Viseu.
The municipalities in Portugal are known as concelhos ("councils"), but the word município ("municipality") is used and also official.
In 1801, Spain and France decided to invade Portugal to stop them trading with Britain, an ally of Portugal. A block was made Europe-wide under pressure from Napoleon, but Portugal didn't join this. Because of this, Spain declared war on Portugal, invading and forcing the country to sign the Treaty of Badajoz which gave Olivença to Spain amongst other things.
By 1807, Spain and France had invaded Portugal and the Royal Family fled to Brazil, a portuguese colony which was turned into an associated kingdom to Portugal on that occasion. In fact, Rio de Janeiro became the Capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve during the invasion of metropolitan Portugal.
When the war was over, Portugal tried to regain it's lost territory. Spain and Portugal, among other nations, participated in the Congress of Vienna, where Spain, by its honor and will, promised to return the Municipality of Olivença to Portugal and the Triety of Badajoz was declared officially void. Spain never made good on its promise. For two centuries Portugal has tried to regain Olivença, sometimes by force, but it has always withdrawn for fear of a new Peninsular War. To this day there is no official border between the two countries in that region.
The list of Portuguese municipalities is divided by regions or Metropolitans Areas. The used regions are those used by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, since the country is not officially divided into regions and districts have fallen in disuse. The list also includes the activities and main attractions of each municipality. Some municipalities share a statute of World Heritage Site. This happens in the World Heritage region of Douro Vinhateiro that is shared by 13 municipalities. This also occurs in Madeira Island, where the Laurissilva Forrest is share by some municipalities. Others, such as Lisbon (two monuments classified) and Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Douro Vinhateiro and the Paleolitic pictures site) have more than one site.
Portugal has a number of unique hotels known has Pousadas Históricas, part of Pousadas de Portugal, that are located in national monuments, convents, castles and forts. They are also in the list. One can also find the monuments that were classified as National Monuments by Portugal, with the anacron N.M.. This features among others characterize each municipality, some like the Pousadas are seen in Portugal as a municipal pride.
| Region Metropolitan Area | Municipality | Obs. |
| Azores Islands pt. Arquipélago dos Açores | Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island |
Bullfighting; World Heritage Site |
| Calheta (Azores), São Jorge Island |
Bullfighting | |
| Corvo, Corvo Island | ||
| Horta, Faial Island | ||
| Lagoa (Azores), São Miguel Island | ||
| Lajes das Flores, Flores Island | ||
| Lajes do Pico, Pico Island | ||
| Madalena, Pico Island |
Natural beauties | |
| Nordeste, São Miguel Island | ||
| Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island |
Spas | |
| Povoação, São Miguel Island |
Spas | |
| Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island |
Fishery | |
| Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island |
Spas | |
| Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island | ||
| Santa Cruz das Flores, Flores Island | ||
| São Roque do Pico, Pico Island | ||
| Velas, São Jorge Island |
Natural beauties; bullfighting | |
| Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island | ||
| Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island | ||
| Alentejo | Castle of Terena | |
| Alcácer do Sal |
Natural beauties; bullfighting; Pousada | |
| Aljustrel | ||
| Almodôvar | ||
| Alter do Chão |
Bullfighting | |
| Alvito |
Pousada | |
| Arraiolos |
Pousada | |
| Arronches |
Natural beauties | |
| Avis | ||
| Barrancos |
Natural beauties; bullfighting | |
| Beja |
Pousada; N.M.: Roman Villa of Pisões | |
| Borba | ||
| Castle of Campo Maior, Pre-Historic settlement of Santa Vitória | ||
| Castelo de Vide |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Castro Verde |
Natural beauties | |
| Crato |
Spas; Pousada; N.M.: Monastery of Flor da Rosa | |
| Cuba | ||
| Castle of Elvas, Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Megalitic Monuments of Elvas | ||
| Estremoz |
Pousada | |
| Évora |
World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Castle of Évoramonte, Cathedral of Évora | |
| Ferreira do Alentejo | ||
| Fronteira |
Spas; bullfighting | |
| Castle of Belver | ||
| Grândola |
Natural beauties | |
| Marvão |
Natural beauties; mountains; spas | |
| Mértola | ||
| Roman Villa of Torre de Palma | ||
| Grotto of Escoural | ||
| Mora |
Natural beauties | |
| Moura |
Spas; bullfighting; Lagar de Varas do Fojo | |
| Mourão | ||
| Castle of Amieira do Tejo | ||
| Odemira |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Olivença |
Occupied by Spain | |
| Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola | ||
| Ponte de Sôr | ||
| Portalegre |
Natural beauties; mountains; N.M.: Castle of Portalegre | |
| Portel | ||
| Redondo | ||
| Reguengos de Monsaraz | ||
| Roman Ruins of Miróbriga | ||
| Serpa |
Natural beauties | |
| Sines |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Sousel | ||
| Vendas Novas | ||
| Castle of Viana do Alentejo | ||
| Roman ruins of Villa Áulica and Convent of São Cucufate | ||
| Vila Viçosa |
Pousada | |
| Algarve | Albufeira | |
| Alcoutim | ||
| Aljezur |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Castro Marim | ||
| Faro |
Fishery; N.M.: Roman Villa of Milreu | |
| Lagoa (Algarve) |
Fishery; bullfighting | |
| Lagos |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Loulé |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Monchique |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Olhão |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Portimão |
Natural beauties; fishery; N.M.: Megalitic Monuments of Alcalar | |
| São Brás de Alportel | ||
| Silves | ||
| Tavira |
Mountains; fishery; bullfighting | |
| Fortress of Sagres, Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe | ||
| Vila Real de Santo António |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Beira Interior | Aguiar da Beira |
Spas |
| Almeida |
Spas | |
| Castle of Belmonte, Roman Tower of Centum Cellas | ||
| Castelo Branco | ||
| Celorico da Beira |
Natural beauties; mountains; spas | |
| Covilhã |
Natural beauties; mountains; spas | |
| Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar | ||
| Fornos De Algodres | ||
| Fundão |
Spas | |
| Gouveia | ||
| Guarda |
Natural beauties; N.M.: Cathedral of Guarda | |
| Roman ruins of Egiptânia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha | ||
| Manteigas |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Castle of Marialva | ||
| Oleiros | ||
| Penamacôr | ||
| Castle of Pinhel | ||
| Proença-a-Nova |
Mountains | |
| Sabugal |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Seia |
Mountains | |
| Sertã | ||
| Trancoso | ||
| Vila de Rei | ||
| Vila Nova de Foz Côa |
World Heritage Sites | |
| Vila Velha de Ródão | ||
| Beira Litoral | Águeda | |
| Albergaria-a-Velha | ||
| Anadia |
Spas | |
| Arganil |
Natural beauties | |
| Armamar |
World Heritage Site | |
| Monastery of Arouca | ||
| Aveiro |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Cantanhede |
Fishery | |
| Carregal do Sal | ||
| Castro Daire |
Spas | |
| Castelo de Paiva | ||
| Coimbra |
N.M.: Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Monastery of Santa Cruz, New Cathedral of Coimbra, Old Cathedral of Coimbra | |
| Condeixa-a-Nova |
Natural beauties | |
| Cinfães |
Mountains | |
| Estarreja | ||
| Figueira da Foz |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Góis |
Mountains | |
| Ílhavo |
Fishery | |
| Monastery of Ferreirim, Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão | ||
| Lousã | ||
| Mangualde |
Spas | |
| Mealhada |
Spas | |
| Mira |
Fishery | |
| Miranda do Corvo | ||
| Moimenta da Beira | ||
| Castle of Montemor-o-Velho | ||
| Mortágua | ||
| Murtosa |
Fishery | |
| Nelas |
Mountains; spas | |
| Oliveira de Azeméis | ||
| Oliveira do Bairro |
Natural beauties | |
| Oliveira de Frades |
Mountains | |
| Oliveira do Hospital |
Spas; Pousada | |
| Ovar |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Pampilhosa da Serra |
Mountains | |
| Monastery of Lorvão | ||
| Penalva do Castelo | ||
| Penedono | ||
| Castle of Penela | ||
| Resende |
Spas | |
| Santa Comba Dão |
Spas | |
| Santa Maria da Feira |
Spas; N.M.: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira | |
| São João da Madeira | ||
| São João da Pesqueira |
World Heritage Site | |
| São Pedro do Sul |
Spas | |
| Sátão | ||
| Sernancelhe | ||
| Sever do Vouga | ||
| Soure |
Spas | |
| Tábua |
Spas | |
| Tabuaço |
World Heritage Site | |
| Monastery of São João de Tarouca | ||
| Tondela |
Spas | |
| Vagos |
Fishery; bullfighting | |
| Vale de Cambra | ||
| Vila Nova de Paiva | ||
| Vila Nova de Poiares |
Bullfighting | |
| Viseu | ||
| Vouzela |
Natural beauties | |
| Entre Douro e Minho | Amarante |
Spas |
| Monastery of Rendufe | ||
| Arcos de Valdevez | ||
| Baião | ||
| Barcelos | ||
| Braga |
N.M.: Monastery of Tibães, Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios, Cathedral of Braga | |
| Cabeceiras de Basto | ||
| First Church of Caminha | ||
| Celorico de Basto | ||
| Esposende |
Fishery | |
| Fafe | ||
| Monastery of Pombeiro | ||
| Guimarães |
Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: Palace of the Duckes of Bragança, Castle of Guimarães, Church of São Miguel do Castelo | |
| Lousada | ||
| Pre-Historic and Roman ruins of Tongobriga | ||
| Melgaço |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Monção |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Paços de Ferreira | ||
| Paredes | ||
| Paredes de Coura | ||
| Penafiel |
Spas | |
| Ponte da Barca | ||
| Ponte de Lima |
Natural beauties; mountains | |
| Póvoa de Lanhoso | ||
| Santo Tirso |
Spas | |
| Terras de Bouro |
Natural beauties; mountains; spas | |
| Trofa | ||
| Valença | ||
| Viana do Castelo |
Fishery, N.M.: Citânia de Santa Luzia | |
| Vieira do Minho |
Mountains | |
| Vila Nova de Cerveira |
Pousada | |
| Vila Nova de Famalicão | ||
| Vila Verde | ||
| Vizela | ||
| Lisbon Metropolitan
Area
pt. Área Metropolitana de Lisboa | Alcochete |
Natural beauties; bullfighting |
| Almada |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Amadora | ||
| Azambuja |
Bullfighting | |
| Barreiro | ||
| Cascais |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Lisbon pt. Lisboa |
Bullfighting; World Heritage Sites; N.M.: National Palace of Ajuda, Library of Ajuda, Tower of São Vicente de Belém, Monastery of Jenónimos, Cathedral of Lisbon, Church of São Vicente de Fora, Church of Santa Eugrácia and National Panteon | |
| Loures | ||
| Mafra |
Fishery; N.M.: Palace and Convent of Mafra | |
| Moita |
Bullfighting | |
| Montijo |
Bullfighting | |
| Odivelas | ||
| Oeiras | ||
| Palmela |
Pousada | |
| Sesimbra |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Setúbal |
Natural beauties; fishery; bullfighting; Pousada | |
| Seixal | ||
| Sintra |
Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; Pousada; N.M.: National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Sintra | |
| Vila Franca de Xira |
Natural beauties; bullfighting | |
| Madeira Islands pt. Arquipélago da Madeira | Calheta (Madeira), Madeira Island | |
| Câmara De Lobos, Madeira Island | ||
| Funchal, Madeira Island |
Natural beauties; mountains; World Heritage Site | |
| Machico, Madeira Island |
World Heritage Site | |
| Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island | ||
| Porto Moniz, Madeira Island | ||
| Porto Santo, Porto Santo Island |
Natural beauties | |
| Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island |
Natural beauties | |
| Santa Cruz, Madeira Island | ||
| Santana, Madeira Island |
World Heritage Site | |
| São Vicente, Madeira Island |
World Heritage Site | |
| Desertas Islands pt. Ilhas Desertas | ||
| Savage Islands pt. Ilhas Selvagens | ||
| Porto Metropolitan
Area
pt. Área Metropolitana do Porto | Espinho |
Fishery |
| Maia | ||
| Matosinhos |
Fishery | |
| Gondomar | ||
| Porto |
World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Porto | |
| Póvoa de Varzim |
Fishery; bullfighting | |
| Valongo |
Natural beauties | |
| Vila do Conde |
Fishery | |
| Vila Nova de Gaia |
Natural beauties; N.M.: Monastery of Grijó | |
| Ribatejo e Oeste | Abrantes | |
| Alcanena |
Natural beauties | |
| Alenquer |
Natural beauties | |
| Almeirim |
Bullfighting | |
| Alcobaça |
Natural beauties; spas; fishery; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Monastery of Alcobaça | |
| Alpiarça | ||
| Alvaiázere | ||
| Ansião | ||
| Arruda dos Vinhos |
Bullfighting | |
| Monastery of Batalha | ||
| Benavente |
Natural beauties; bullfighting | |
| Bombarral | ||
| Cadaval |
Natural beauties; mountains | |
| Caldas da Rainha |
Spas, fishery | |
| Cartaxo |
Bullfighting | |
| Castanheira de Pera |
Mountains | |
| Chamusca | ||
| Constância | ||
| Coruche |
Natural beauties | |
| Entroncamento | ||
| Figueiró dos Vinhos |
Mountains | |
| Ferreira do Zêzere |
Mountains | |
| First Church of Golegã | ||
| Leiria |
Spas, fishery | |
| Lourinhã |
Fishery | |
| Mação |
Spas | |
| Marinha Grande |
Fishery | |
| Nazaré |
Fishery | |
| Óbidos |
Pousada | |
| Ourém |
Natural beauties; spas | |
| Pedrogão Grande |
Natural beauties | |
| Peniche |
Natural beauties; fishery | |
| Pombal |
Bullfighting | |
| Chapel of São Jorge | ||
| Rio Maior | ||
| Salvaterra de Magos | ||
| Santarém |
Natural beauties; bullfighting; N.M.: Church of Santa maria da Graça de Santarém | |
| Sardoal | ||
| Sobral de Monte Agraço | ||
| Convent of Christ | ||
| Torres Novas |
Natural beauties | |
| Torres Vedras |
Spas; fishery | |
| Castle of Almourol | ||
| Trás-os-Montes | Alfândega da Fé | |
| Alijó |
Bullfighting; World Heritage Site | |
| Boticas |
Spas | |
| Bragança |
| |
| Castle of Ansiães | ||
| Chaves |
Mountains; spas; N.M.: Castle of Monforte | |
| First Church of Freixo de Espada à Cinta | ||
| Macedo de Cavaleiros |
Natural beauties | |
| Mesão Frio |
Spas; World Heritage Site; Pousada | |
| Miranda do Douro mirandese Miranda de l Douro |
N.M.: Church of Miranda | |
| Mirandela | ||
| Mogadouro | ||
| First Church of Torre de Moncorvo | ||
| Mondim de Basto | ||
| Castle of Montalegre | ||
| Murça |
Spas | |
| Peso da Régua |
Spas; World Heritage Site | |
| Ribeira de Pena | ||
| Sabrosa |
Mountains; World Heritage Site | |
| Santa Marta de Penaguião |
World Heritage Site | |
| Valpaços | ||
| Vila Flor |
Spas | |
| Vila Pouca de Aguiar |
Spas | |
| Vila Real |
Natural beauties; World Heritage Site; N.M.: Cathedral of Vila Real, Roman Sanctuary of Panóias | |
| Vimioso mirandese Bimioso | ||
| Vinhais |
Natural beauties; mountains |
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