Caldas da Rainha

Infobox Settlement
name = Caldas da Rainha
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map_caption = Location of the municipality of Caldas da Rainha within Portugal


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Portugal
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Centro
subdivision_type2 = Subregion
subdivision_name2 = Oeste
subdivision_type3 = District
subdivision_name3 = Leiria
subdivision_type4 = Historic province
subdivision_name4 = Estremadura
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p1 = A-dos-Francos
p2 = Alvorninha
p3 = Carvalhal Benfeito
p4 = Coto
p5 = Foz do Arelho
p6 = Landal
p7 = Nadadouro
p8 = Nossa Senhora do Pópulo
p9 = Salir de Matos
p10 = Salir do Porto
p11 = Santa Catarina
p12 = Santo Onofre
p13 = São Gregório
p14 = Serra do Bouro
p15 = Tornada
p16 = Vidais
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government_type = Municipality
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Fernando José da Costa
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1484
established_title1 = Elevated (town)
established_date1 = 1511
established_title2 = Elevated (city)
established_date2 = 1927
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population_total = 48846
population_density_km2 = 201.0
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 2500
area_code = 262
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blank_name = Municipal holiday
blank_info = May 15
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website = http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/
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Caldas da Rainha (pron. IPA2|ˈkaɫdɐʃ dɐ ʁɐˈiɲɐ) is a city in Portugal. The city serves as the seat of the larger municipality of the same name and is the capital of the Comunidade Urbana do Oeste (Urban Community of the West). The city proper has a population of 25,316, ranking 40th in population among Portuguese cities. [ [http://www.igeo.pt/atlas/Cap2/Cap2d_2.html Uma População Que Se Urbaniza: Uma avaliação recente] Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)] The entire municipality has 48,846 residents.cite web|url=http://www.ine.pt/|title=Instituto Nacional de Estatística] The city is best known for its hot springs and pottery.

The city was founded in the 15th century by Queen Leonor, who established a hospital at the site of some therapeutic hot springs. The Hospital Termal Rainha D. Leonor is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in world, with five centuries of history. The city's name means "Queen's Hot Springs" or "Queen's Spa".

Caldas da Rainha is home to many arts-related institutions. There are numerous museums in the city, mostly related to ceramics and sculpture. The city is home to a major arts and design school, as well as a school of ceramics. In 2008, the town council inaugurated a new cultural center.

History

Caldas da Rainha was founded by Queen Leonor, wife of King João II. One day in 1484, while traveling from Óbidos to Batalha, she found a group of peasants bathing in foul-smelling waters by the roadside. She stopped to inquire about this oddity and was told that the waters possessed curative powers. She decided to try them for herself. She was pleased to find that she was quickly relieved of some affliction she had been suffering (exactly what is not known). On that site, the queen ordered a thermal hospital built so that others may enjoy the relief that she felt. Construction began the following year, 1485. Although the first patients were admitted in 1488, construction was not completed until about 1496 or 1497. The name of the settlement that grew up around the site (Caldas da Rainha), refers to both its founder and the reason for its existence.

On March 21, 1511, King Manuel conferred the status of town (Portuguese: "vila") upon Caldas da Rainha. [http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/INFORMACAO_CONCELHO/História%20e%20geografia.pdf História e Geografia] from Portal Caldas da Rainha] The town was elevated to the status of city ("cidade") in September 1927.

In the early 20th century, it had a significant artistic and intellectual life. During World War II hundreds of Jewish refugees came to Caldas da Rainha to escape Nazism. [ [http://www.gazetacaldas.com/Desenvol.asp?NID=14687 "Caldas da Rainha e os refugiados da II Grande Guerra"] from "Gazeta da Caldas"]

Caldas da Rainha's coat of arms was granted by Queen Leonor, before municipal coats of arms were typically used in Portugal. Because of its early introduction, several elements of the arms violate Portuguese heraldic standards. For example, Portuguese coat of arms typically feature a mural crown, made up of brick towers. Caldas da Rainha's arms feature a gold crown. The arms lack the typical banner bearing the municipality's name. The shield is much longer than the normal 8:7 ratio. The two smaller shields surrounding the main shield are also not in keeping with Portuguese heraldic rules.

Geography

Location

Caldas da Rainha is located at 39° 24' N latitude and 9° 08' W longitude. The municipality comprises an area of convert|255.7|km² (2004 statistics). The city is located approximately convert|82|km north of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Although the municipality borders the Atlantic Ocean, the city proper is about convert|10|km from the ocean.

Caldas da Rainha is located in the NUTS III subregion named Oeste, which forms part of the NUTS II region known as Centro, which is part of the NUTS I subdivision called Portugal Continental (Continental/Mainland Portugal).

Caldas da Rainha is the capital of Comunidade Urbana do Oeste (West Urban Community). "Urban communities" are part of the plan to replace districts. The Oeste urban community is "coincidentally" coterminous with the Oeste NUTS III subregion.

Caldas da Rainha is in Estremadura, a historical province with no current legal status. The municipality is in the district of Leiria. Districts are being phased out, but still serve as a primary administrative division.

The municipality is bordered to the north by Alcobaça, to the east by Rio Maior and to the south by Bombarral, Cadaval and Óbidos.

The postal code for Caldas da Rainha is 2500. Its telephone area code is 262.

Civil Parishes ("Freguesias")

The municipality of Caldas da Rainha comprises sixteen civil parishes (Portuguese: "freguesias"). They are: [Nossa Senhora do Pópulo and Santo Onofre are urban "freguesias" and form the city of Caldas da Rainha; the other fourteen "freguesias" form the rural part of the municipality and do not belong to the city. Some sources, including the INE, count part or all of Tornada as being part of the city, due to its increasingly urban nature.] [The two "freguesias" which comprise the city are officially designated by the INE as Caldas da Rainha (N Senhora do Pópulo) and Caldas da Rainha (Santo Onofre). N Senhora do Pópulo is listed by this organization between Alvorninha and Carvalhal Benfeito, as if its name were simply Caldas da Rainha. Santo Onofre is last in the INE's list of Caldas's "freguesias", because it was the most recent created, and the INE did not renumber the "freguesias".]

Demographics

As of the 2001 census, there are 48,846 residents in the municipality. This represents a 13.1% increase over the 1991 population of 43,205. As of the 2001 census, 23,483 (48.1%) residents are male and 25,363 (51.9%) are female. Residents aged 14 and under number 7,666 (15.7%), those aged 15 to 24 number 6,509 (13.3%), those aged 25 to 64 number 25,867 (53.0%) and those aged 65 and over number 8,804 (18.0%). Estimates as of 2006, place the population at 51,403. [cite web|url=http://www.anmp.pt/munp/mun/mun171s2.php?xsel=FM&ano=2006&mun=M2500|title=Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses] The population density is 201.0 inhabitants/km² (2004).

Government

Câmara Municipal

The executive body of the municipal government is the Câmara Municipal (municipal chamber). Fernando José da Costa (PSD) is the president of the "câmara", effectively the mayor of Caldas da Rainha. The other members are Maria da Coneição Feliciano Antunes Bretts Jardim Pereira (PSD), Fernando Manuel Tinta Ferreira (PSD), João Manuel Rato Faria Aboim (PS), Hugo Patrício Martinho de Oliveira (PSD), António Bento da Silva Galamba (PS), and Nicolau João Gonçalves Borges (PS). [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/MUNICIPIO/EXECUTIVO|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Geral > Município > Executivo]

Assembleia Municipal

The legislative body of municipal government is the 37-member Assembleia Municipal (municipal assembly). Luís Manuel Pereira Monteiro Ribeiro is president of the assembly. José Fernando D’almeida Silva Pereira serves as the first secretary. Vasco da Cruz Antunes de Oliveira, who is president of the junta de freguesia of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, serves as the second secretary. [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/ASSEMBLEIA/MESA_ASSEMBLEIA|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Geral > Assembleia > Mesa Assembleia]

Fifteen members of the assembly are the presidents of the "juntas" of the other "freguesias": Justino Sobreiro (A-dos-Francos), Virgílio Leal dos Santos (Alvorninha), Abílio Maria Camacho (Santo Onofre), Maria João dos Santos Ribeiro Querido (Carvalhal Benfeito), Carlos de Oliveira Rodrigues (Coto), Fernando Alberto Reis Horta (Foz do Arelho), António Augusto Marques Alexandre (Landal), César Conceição Dimas Pereira (Nadadouro), João Fialho Coutinho Rosa (Salir de Matos), Abílio Jacinto Luís (Salir do Porto), Hélder Fernando Freire Nunes (Santa Catarina), João Manuel Almeida Silva (São Gregório), Álvaro Baltazar da Silva Jerónimo (Serra do Bouro), Henrique José Teresa (Tornada), and César Paulo Tempero (Vidais).

The other members of the assembly are José Luís de Carvalho Lalanda Ribeiro, Manuel Simões Pereira Nobre, David Ribeiro de Sousa Geraldes, Maria Margarida Nave Nunes Maldonado Freitas, Luís Miguel da Rosa Goulão Freire, Rui Alves Gomes, Jorge Manuel Santos Sobral, Ana Maria Jean-Batiste Cruz Carneiro Pacheco, Arnaldo Lino Monteiro da Rocha, Rogério Miguel Rebelo, Luisa Paula Guerreiro Rebelo Sedas Pascoal, Mário António Duarte Pacheco, Duarte Nuno Batista Ferreira, Paulo Ribeiro, Manuel Mendes Nunes, Vítor Manuel Marques Fernandes, Pedro Miguel de Oliveira Marques, Alberto Manuel de Oliveira Reis Pereira, and Mário de Sousa Tavares. [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/ASSEMBLEIA/COMPOSICAO_ASSEMBLEIA|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Geral > Assembleia > Composição Assembleia]

Economy

, there are 2,075 business firms in the municipality. 3.9% are in the primary sector (agriculture), 20.9% are in the secondary sector (manufacturing) and 75.3% are in the tertiary sector (services).

There are 31 banking institutions, with deposits totaling €518,021,400.

As of 2001, 49% of the population is employed, while 6.5% are unemployed. (The remainder are too young, are retired or do not otherwise participate in the workforce.)

Culture

Centro Cultural e de Congressos

On May 15, 2008, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and Mayor Fernando José da Costa inaugurated the Centro Cultural e de Congressos (CCC), [Some sources omit the word "de" before "Congressos". This omission is incorrect, as "de" is needed for grammatical parallel structure, since "cultural" is an adjective and "congressos" is a noun. Even the center's official World Wide Web site at http://www.ccc.eu.com/ does not resolve the issue. The page title contains "de", but the logo does not. At http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=10&idi=16093, the plaque in the fourth photo contains "de", but the podium in the eighth photo and the signage in the last photo do not. A Municipal Assembly meeting resolved the issue, with the omission being classified as an error to be corrected [http://www.jornaldascaldas.com/index.php/2008/06/11/designacao-do-ccc-com-erro-de-portugues/] (in Portuguese)] a cultural and conference center. The center hosts music, theatre, dance, and cinema, as well as various expositions and conferences.

The center's grand auditorium contains 660 seats and a convert|600|m² stage. The smaller auditorium can seat up to 150. A multi-use space of convert|240|m² can be subdivided into four rooms. A concert café seats 60. The rehearsal space is as large as the main stage.

Ceramics

", revealing that the pottery tradition has been settled here since ancient times. The typical Caldas pottery has evolved since its great boom in early 20th century, but the main types are still the same.

Caldas da Rainha's pottery falls into two main categories: utilitarian housewares, such as plates, bowls, platters, mugs, and tureens; and purely decorative items, such as caricature figurines and ceramic phalluses of various sizes. Even useful articles usually serve a decorative purpose as well. One popular model, created by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, is a cabbage-shaped soup tureen, which can be displayed on a shelf or as a centerpiece when not in use.

One of the most popular decorative figures is Zé Povinho, a bearded peasant everyman character created by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. A symbol of Portugal and the Portuguese people, Zé Povinho appears in many jocular, defiant poses.

The ceramics are available for purchase at stands in the daily market at Praça da República (Praça da Fruta) and shops in the vicinity. They are also available in stores outside Portugal, including a number of up-market housewares stores.

Gastronomy

"Cavacas das Caldas" are a small-bowl-sized, shell-shaped confection of flour and eggs, with a crunchy sugar covering. In June 2005, a 26 meter pyramid of "cavacas" was erected on Praça 25 de Abril in front of the city hall. [ [http://www.oesteonline.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?nid=9507 "Pirâmide com 48900 cavacas das Caldas"] , "Jornal Oeste Online", June 17, 2005] "Beijinhos das Caldas" (English: "kisses") are similar, but are smaller and round.

Tourism and sites of interest

Beaches and water

Foz do Arelho has a beach on Atlantic Ocean, convert|10|km from the center of town. The Lagoa de Óbidos, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean, is a lagoon located on the border with Óbidos near Foz do Arelho. Salir do Porto has a beach on the Atlantic Ocean.

Churches

The Igreja Nossa Senhora do Pópulo is a gothic church near the thermal hospital. It was built around the year 1500 by order of Queen Leonor. The church has two associated chapels: Capela de São Sebastião and Capela do Espírito Santo. The Ermida da São Sebastião is a 16th century chapel, adjacent to Praça da República. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is a 20th century church located on Praça 25 de Abril.

Museums

Several museums are located in Caldas da Rainha. The Centro de Artes (arts center) hosts three museums of sculpture: the Museu-Atelier António Duarte, the Museu-Atelier João Fragoso, and the Museu Barata Feyo. The Museu de Cerâmica exhibits ceramic works of art, as does the Casa-Museu de São Rafael. The Museu do Hospital e das Caldas features exhibits related to the thermal hospital and the city. The Museu José Malhoa is an art museum located in Parque D. Carlos I.

Parks and plazas

Parque D. Carlos I is a large park in the center of town. The José Malhoa Museum sits in the middle of the park. The park contains a doughnut-shaped pond with a small island in the center. Visitors can rent rowboats on the pond.

Praça da República (Republic Plaza) is a public square in the center of town. The plaza, also known as Praça da Fruta (Fruit Plaza), hosts Portugal's only daily farmers' market. The plaza is surrounded by buildings, most containing shops, banks, and cafés on the ground floor.

Praça 5 de Outubro (October 5 Plaza) formerly hosted the city's open-air fish market, which has since moved to an indoor location. The plaza is now used for outdoor café seating and free cultural events. A parking garage sits underground below the plaza.

Transportation

Bus

Caldas da Rainha has a bus station located in the city center. The city is served by express, rapid, and interurban buses of Rede Nacional de Expressos and Rodoviária do Tejo. Service to outlying, suburban, and rural areas near the city is provided by Rocaldas-Empresa de transportes Auto-Penafiel, Lda.

The municipality introduced local bus service on May 15, 2007, the municipal holiday. The service is called TOMA, which means "take this" in Portuguese. There are two 29-seat buses operating on two routes, "Linha Verde" (Green Line) and "Linha Laranja" (Orange Line). Each route operates with thirty-minute intervals. Stops serviced by both lines are served at fifteen-minute intervals. There are twenty-four stops. [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/MUNICIPE/TRANSPORTES_PARQUE/PROJECTO_MODILIDADE|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha> Munícipe > Transportes e Parque > Projecto Mobilidade] [ [http://www.oesteonline.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?nid=16057 "Tomar o autocarro na cidade"] , by Francisco Gomes, from "Jornal Oeste Online", May 16, 2007] On January 9, 2008, the city council announced that persons in wheelchairs would ride free of charge. [ [http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/NOTICIAS?notid=249293 Utentes em cadeira de rodas não pagam viagem nos TOMA] , Portal Caldas da Rainha]

In May 2008, the municipality announced a new route, "Linha Azul" (Blue Line), which will serve the northern areas of the city. The new route will be operated using two buses, rather than the single bus used by each of the two existing routes. [ [http://www.gazetacaldas.com/Desenvol.asp?NID=21927 "Nova linha do Toma "] , "Gazeta das Caldas", May 23, 2008] [ [http://www.jornaldascaldas.com/index.php/2008/05/21/cidade-nova-bairro-azul-e-zona-dos-museus-contemplados/ "Cidade Nova, Bairro Azul e zona dos museus contemplados: Toma vai ter novos trajectos"] , "Jornal da Caldas", May 21, 2008]

Rail

. All trains serving Caldas da Rainha begin or end their trips there. No through service stops at Caldas da Rainha. [cite web|url=http://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/Imagens/PDF/Passageiros/horarios/regionais_2007/lisboa_fig_da_foz.pdf|title=Lisboa/ Mira Sintra — Meleças / Coimbra / Figueira da Foz from www.cp.pt|format=PDF]

Roads

Caldas da Rainha is served by an extensive network of roads. Two motorways ("auto-estradas"), both operated by Auto-Estradas do Atlântico, serve the municipality. The A8 (also known as Auto-estrada do Oeste and as IC1) goes south to Lisbon, Loures, Torres Vedras, and Bombarral and north to Leiria, Marinha Grande, Alcobaça, and Nazaré. The A15 goes west to Santarém via Rio Maior. IP 6 is a main route ("itinerário principal") connecting to Peniche, Santarém, Castelo Branco, and Spain.

Several national roads ("estradas nacionais"), which are older and not as well-maintained as motorways and main routes, serve the municipality. EN 8 crosses the municipality from north to south, connecting to Alcobaça and Leiria to the north and Óbidos, Bombarral, and Torres Vedras to the south. EN 8 runs through the center of the city, although the part of its route along Rua dos Heróis da Grande Guerra is now a pedestrian zone. EN 8 was the municipality's main roadway before the A8 motorway was built.

EN 114, in the center and southeast of the municipality, goes to Peniche, Rio Maior and Santarém. EN 114-1, in the center and east of the municipality, connects to EN 114. EN 115, along the south and southwest border of the municipality, runs to Cadaval. EN 360 crosses the municipality southwest to northeast, connecting to Alcobaça. EN 361, in the southwest of the municipality, connects to Cadaval and Rio Maior.

Education

Caldas da Rainha is home to many educational institutions.

Higher education

There are two institutions of higher education in Caldas da Rainha. [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/MUNICIPE/EDUCACAO/ENSINO_SUPERIOR|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Munícipe > Educação > Ensino Superior]

Escola Superior de Artes e Design de Caldas da Rainha (ESAD.CR), founded in 1990, is a school of the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (IPL). ESAD offers courses in plastic arts, industrial design, ceramic design, graphic design, multimedia design, theatre, "cultural animation", and sound & image. [cite web|url=http://www.esad.ipleiria.pt/index.php?id=2|title=Escola Superior de Artes e Design de Caldas da Rainha > Apresentação]

Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB) da Universidade Católica Portuguesa offers courses in biotechnology. The Caldas da Rainha campus, founded in 1999, is an extension of ESB's Porto base. [cite web|url=http://www.esb.ucp.pt/|title=ESB — Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa] [cite web|url=http://www.esb.ucp.pt/eesbcr/|title=EESBCR::Extensão da Escola Superior de Biotecnologia em Caldas da Rainha]

Primary and secondary education

There are two secondary schools ("escolas secundárias", years ten through twelve) in Caldas da Rainha. Escola Secundária Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro is located in Nossa Senhora do Pópulo "freguesia" and Escola Secundária Raúl Proença is located in the neighborhood of Bairro do Arneiros in Santo Onofre "freguesia".

Caldas da Rainha has three basic schools ("escolas básicas") for the second and third cycles ("segundo (2°) ciclo", years five and six; and "terceiro (3°) ciclo", years seven through nine).cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/MUNICIPE/EDUCACAO/2_3_CICLO|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Munícipe > Educação > 2°,3 °Ciclo e Secundárias] E.B. 2,3 D. João II is located in Nossa Senhora do Pópulo "freguesia" and offers the second and third cycles only. EBI 1,2,3 Santo Onofre is located in the neighborhood of Bairro das Morenas in Santo Onofre "freguesia" and offers the first, second, and third cycles. EBI de Santa Catarina, located in Santa Catarina "freguesia", offers kindergarten, first, second, and third cycle classes.

Caldas da Rainha has 48 schools for the first cycle ("primeiro (1°) ciclo", years one though four) located throughout the municipality. The schools, together with the kindergartens, are divided into five geographic groups for administrative purposes. They are located at A-dos-Francos, Alvorninha, Antas, Avenal, Bairradas, Bairro da Ponte, Bairro dos Arneiros, Cabreiros, Campo, Carreiros, Carvalhal Benfeito, Casais da Serra, Casal da Areia, Casal da Marinha, Casal das Freiras, Chão da Parada, Coto, Cumeira, Encosta do Sol, Espinheira, Fanadia, Foz do Arelho, Guisado, Lagoa Parceira, Mata, Mestras, Moita, Nadadouro, Parque, Peso, Rabaceira, Ramalhosa, Reguengo da Parada, Relvas, Ribeira dos Amiais, Rostos, Salir de Matos, Salir do Porto, Santa Catarina (E.B.I. 0,1,2,3), Santa Susana, Santo Onofre (E.B.I. 1,2,3), São Clemente, São Gregório, Tornada, Trabalhias, Vidais, Vila Verde, and Zambujal.

Caldas da Rainha has 27 kindergartens ("jardims de infância").cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/MUNICIPE/EDUCACAO/AGRUPAMENTOS_ESCOLAS|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Munícipe > Educação > Agrupamentos Escolas] They are located at A-dos-Francos, Antas, Avenal, Bairro dos Arneiros, Carreiros, Carvalhal Benfeito, Casais da Serra, Casal Celão, Casal da Areia, Coto, Cruzes, Foz do Arelho, Lagoa Parceira, Moita, Morenas, Nadadouro, Rabaceira, Ramalhosa, Reguengo da Parada, Salir do Porto, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina (E.B.I.), Santa Susana, São Clemente, São Cristovão, São Gregório, and Tornada.

Colégio Rainha D. Leonor, in Santo Onofre, is a private school offering basic and secondary education. Colégio Frei Cristóvão, in A-dos-Francos, is a private school, offering years five through nine. [ [http://www.oesteonline.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?nid=17116 "Aulas começam na segunda-feira no Colégio Frei Cristóvão"] , Pedro Antunes, "Jornal Oeste Online", September 16, 2007]

Vocational education

Caldas da Rainha has several institutions offering vocational education. [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/MUNICIPE/EDUCACAO/ENSINO_VARIOS|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Munícipe > Educação > Ensino — Vários] The Escola Técnica Empresarial do Oeste (ETEO) is a school of business and technology. The Centro de Formação Profissional Para a Indústria Cerâmica (CENCAL) offers training related to the ceramics industry. The Centro Formação Profissional Indústria Metalúrgica e Metalomecânica (CENFIM) offers courses in metallurgy. The Escola de Sargentos do Exército trains sergeants for the Portuguese Army. The Conservatório de Caldas da Rainha is a conservatory of music.

Health care

. [cite web|url=http://www.portaldasaude.pt/Portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=2564|title=Portal da Saúde — Hospital Distrital Caldas da Rainha (Centro Hospitalar Caldas da Rainha)] The Hospital Termal Rainha D. Leonor (Queen Leonor Thermal Hospital), a spa offering medically prescribed treatment in sulfurous waters, is also part of the Centro Hospitalar. Among the non-medical institutions of the Centro Hospitlar are the Museu do Hospital e das Caldas (Museum of the Hospital and Spa) and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, a church.

Caldas da Rainha is also served by a health center, Centro de Saúde Caldas da Rainha, [cite web|url=http://www.min-saude.pt/portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=411|title=Portal da Saúde — Centro de Saúde Caldas da Rainha] which offers primary and non-urgent care. Additionally, there is a Unidade de Saúde Familiar (Family Health Unit) in Tornada and ten Extensões de Saúde (Health Extensions) in Alvorninha, Carreiros (A-dos-Francos), Carvalhal Benfeito, Foz do Arelho, Rostos (Landal), São Gregório, Santa Catarina, Vidais, A-dos-Francos, and Salir de Matos.

Twin towns (sister cities)

Caldas da Rainha is twinned with the following places: [cite web|url=http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/GERAL/MUNICIPIO/GEMINACOES|title=Portal Caldas da Rainha > Geral > Município > Geminações]
*flagicon|France Cambo-les-Bains, France
*flagicon|Spain Coria and Badajoz, Spain
*flagicon|Belgium Dinant, Belgium
*flagicon|Angola Huambo, Angola
*flagicon|France Le Raincy, France
*flagicon|Angola Lubango, Angola
*flagicon|USA Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States
*flagicon|Brazil Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
*flagicon|Cape Verde Ribeira Grande, Cape Verde, Cape Verde

ports

Caldas Sport Clube (CSC) was founded May 15, 1916. The club sponsors an association football (soccer) team which competes in the Portuguese Football Federation's 2nd Division — Series C. The team plays at Campo da Mata, a 13,000-seat field located in a forest adjacent to Parque D. Carlos I. CSC also sponsors several youth (junior) football teams for various age groups.

Caldas da Rainha has a bull ring ("praça de touros"), which is actively used during bullfighting season.

The Portuguese Badminton Association (Federação Portuguesa de Badminton) is headquartered in Caldas da Rainha. [cite web|url=http://www.fpbadminton.pt/|title=Federação Portuguesa de Badminton]

Notable Natives

*José Malhoa
*Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
*José da Cruz Cardinal Policarpo
*Raul Proença

References and notes

External links

Official World Wide Web sites
* [http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/ Portal Caldas da Rainha] , by the Câmara Municipal de Caldas da Rainha — the municipal government's Web site Pt icon
* [http://www.ccc.eu.com/ Centro Cultural e de Congressos, Caldas da Rainha] Pt icon

Maps
* [http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_MCR/LOCALIZACAO Aerial/satellite image of the center of town]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116608920077121367262.0004419bbbf04a0fada61&t=k&z=15&om=1 TOMA bus routes and stops] at Google Maps

Newspapers
* [http://www.gazetacaldas.com/ Gazeta das Caldas] Pt icon
* [http://www.jornaldascaldas.com/ Jornal das Caldas] Pt icon

Other links
* [http://caldasdarainha.com.sapo.pt/ Caldas da Rainha] — Website developed by UBI Pt icon and En icon
* [http://www.caldense.org/ Associação Regional Caldense] — Portuguese / American Social Organization Pt icon and En icon
* [http://www.pbase.com/diasdosreis/caldas Caldas da Rainha photo gallery by Dias dos Reis]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/1419654/ Caldas da Rainha - a photoset on flickr]
* [http://www.caldassportclube.pt/ Caldas Sport Clube] Pt icon