Viana do Castelo

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Viana do Castelo
image_coat_of_arms = VCT.png

---

Region = Norte
Subregion = Minho-Lima
District = Viana do Castelo
Mayor_name = Defensor Moura
Mayor_party = PS
area_total = 318.6
population_total = 91,238 (2006)
population_density = 286.4
Parishes = 40
coor = 41º42'N 8º50'W
params = 41_42_N_8_50_W
occasion =
day = August 20
website = http://www.cm-viana-castelo.pt
footnotes =

Viana do Castelo (pronounced|viˈɐnɐ du kɐʃˈtɛlu) is a city and a municipality, seat of the district of Viana do Castelo, in Norte region, Portugal. The city proper had 36,148 (INE, 2001) [ [http://62.48.187.117/atlas/Cap2/Cap2d_2.html UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004] Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)] inhabitants, and the municipality has a total population of 91,238 inhabitants (2006) for a total area of 318.6 km².

It is located at the mouth of the Rio Lima.

History

King Afonso III of Portugal founded the town in 1253 in the name of Viana. In the 16th century its port gained great importance as the one of the main ports from which Portuguese explorers set sail due to the discoveries. The most remarkable buildings in the town are from this era. Its traditional folklore is among the richest in the country.

Parishes

* Afife
* Alvarães
* Amonde
* Anha
* Areosa (Viana do Castelo)
* Barroselas
* Cardielos
* Carreço
* Carvoeiro
* Castelo do Neiva
* Chafé
* Darque (Viana do Castelo)
* Deão
* Deocriste
* Freixieiro de Soutelo
* Lanheses
* Mazarefes
* Meadela (Viana do Castelo)
* Meixedo
* Monserrate (Viana do Castelo)
* Montaria
* Moreira de Geraz do Lima
* Mujães
* Neiva
* Nogueira
* Outeiro
* (São Gil de) Perre
* Portela Susã
* Santa Marta de Portuzelo
* Santa Leocádia de Geraz do Lima
* Santa Maria de Geraz do Lima
* Santa Maria Maior (Viana do Castelo)
* Serreleis
* Subportela
* Torre
* Vila de Punhe
* Vila Franca
* Vila Fria
* Vila Mou
* Vilar de Murteda

Economy

The city has a seaport with naval repairing facilities.Its major industry is naval construction. Its shipyard is the only one still working in Portugal.

Coat of Arms and Flag

The coat of arms includes a ship over the sea and a golden castle with three towers on top of a blue-colored shield. The flag color is black and yellow. It is ordered yellow to black from the top clockwise four times.

ites of interest

Castelo do Neiva, the castle has been owned by the parish of Viana do Castelo since the beginning of the 19th century.

References

External links

* [http://www.cm-viana-castelo.pt/ Municipality official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5idcTQ2oRLU Viana do Castelo - A Healthy City]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72057594053210587/ Photos from Viana do Castelo]
* [http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/portugal/pousada/viana-do-castelo.html Pousada Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo]
* [http://www.manor-houses-portugal.com/minho-verde/viana-castelo-quinta-monteverde.html Quinta do Monteverde]
* [http://www.manor-houses-portugal.com/minho-verde/viana-castelo-casa-costa-barros.html Casa dos Costa Barros in the centre of Viana]
* [http://www.casacostabarros.com/ Casa dos Costa Barros]
* [http://www.manorhouses.com/hotels/minho-verde/viana-castelo-melo-alvim.html Estalagem Melo Alvim]
* [http://www.manorhouses.com/hotels/minho-verde/viana-castelo-flor-sal.html Hotel Flor de Sal]
* [http://www.QuintaBentoNovo.pt Bento Novo Country House - Rural Tourism - Vacation Rental]