Monforte, Portalegre

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Monforte


image_coat_of_arms = MFT.png

---

Region = Alentejo
Subregion = Alto Alentejo
District = Portalegre
Mayor_name = Rui Maia Silva
Mayor_party = CDU
area_total = 420.3
population_total = 3,241
population_density = 8
Parishes = 4
coor = 39º03'N 7º26'W
params = 39_03_N_7_26_W
occasion =
day = date varies
website = http://www.cm-monforte.pt
footnotes =

Monforte (pron. IPA2|mõ'fɔɾt(ɨ)) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 420.3 km² and a total population of 3,241 inhabitants.

The municipality is composed of 4 parishes, and is located in the District of Portalegre.The present Mayor is Rui Maia Silva, elected by the Unitarian Democratic Coalition.

History

The human occupation of this territory began in the neolithic period, with small communities farming and cattle raising. The Roman civilization had an important influence in these lands leaving a rich patrimonial legacy.

During the Middle Ages they existed at the territory of the present council two different population nucleus, the Villa of Monforte and the Villa of Assumar.

The first Letter of charter was granted in 1257, by D.Afonso III, to the Villa of Monforte. It would be it given new letter of charter on July 1, 1512, by D. Manuel I. In 1281, D. Dinis offered it to its daughter D. Isabel, as gift of its marriage. In 1455, the Villa of Monforte entered in the ownership of the territorial domain of Bragança's House, through the donation done by D. Afonso V to the count of Arraiolos. The toponym derives of fortified hill or of fort, where the village seems to have had origin.

Parishes

*Assumar
*Monforte
*Santo Aleixo
*Vaiamonte

External links

* [http://www.cm-monforte.pt Town Hall official website]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72057594049357682/ Photos from Monforte]