Vinhais

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Vinhais


image_coat_of_arms = VNH.png

---

Region=Norte
Subregion=Alto Trás-os-Montes
District = Bragança
Mayor_name = Américo Pereira
Mayor_party = PS
area_total = 694.9
population_total = 10,051
population_density = 14
Parishes = 35
coor = 41º49'N 7º00'W
params = 41_49_N_7_00_W
occasion =
day = May 20
website = http://www.cm-vinhais.pt

Vinhais (pron. IPA2|vi'ɲajʃ) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 694.9 km² and a total population of 10,051 inhabitants.

The municipality is composed of 35 parishes and is located in the district of Bragança.

The present mayor is Américo Afonso Pereira, elected by the Socialist Party.

The municipal holiday is May 20.

Parishes

* Agrochão
* Alvaredos
* Candedo
* Celas
* Curopos
* Edral
* Edrosa
* Ervedosa
* Fresulfe
* Mofreita
* Moimenta
* Montouto
* Nunes
* Ousilhão
* Paçó
* Penhas Juntas
* Pinheiro Novo
* Quirás
* Rebordelo
* Santa Cruz
* Santalha
* São Jomil
* Sobreiró de Baixo
* Soeira
* Travanca
* Tuizelo
* Vale das Fontes
* Vale de Janeiro
* Vila Boa de Ousilhão
* Vila Verde
* Vilar de Lomba
* Vilar de Ossos
* Vilar de Peregrinos
* Vilar Seco de Lomba
* Vinhais

Geography

The northern boundary of the municipality extends to the border with Spain, 23 km. away.

It is perched on the slopes of the Coroa mountains at an altitude of approximately 600 meters, protected from the cold winds of the north by the Ciradelha mountain, where in remote times there was a Luso-roman castro. On the south side is the Tuela River valley. There are three other rivers in the concelho: the Rabaçal, the Mente, and the Baceiro. They are relatively unpolluted and provide fish for locals and tourists. The Baceiro has a trout hatchery which is deactivated but will be reopened soon.

History

This ancient town, older than the founding of Portugal, owes its name to the abundance of vineyards that covered the slopes and produced excellent wine. Today the production of wine has almost disappeared.

In the time of the Romans there was a settlement called Veniatia, through which passed the road that linked Braga to Astorga. Suevians, Visigoths, Vandals, and Moors all were present in the region. One of the first kings of Portugal, Sancho II had a castle and walls built around which grew a small town soon to be clled Vinhaes. This town was nicknamed Rich Town, because of the abundance of its wine, linen, silk, and wool.

Several times occupied by the Spanish it became part of Portugal again in 1403. In 1659 a Spanish general invaded the region and besieged Vinhais with 1,700 men. The castle resisted and the enemy retired across the border burning all the houses outside the walls as well as wall the villages they passed through.

After the fall of the monarchy in 1911 the Royalist rebel Paiva Couceiro entered Vinhais and attacked the Republican forces, defeating them and sending them in retreat to Chaves

Paiva Couceiro's entry into Vinhais was received with joy because this town was still pro-monarchy. Soon, the Provisional Government of the Republic sent 400 soldiers to attack the rebels. After some violent skirmishes the rebels were defeated and forced to surrender. See Royalist attack on Chaves

Today Vinhais is a small rather isolated municipality with an aging rural population. Without industry and with a diminishing population it relies on tourism, an annual fair specializing in smoked meats, and some agriculture, especially chestnut growing.

The norththern part of Vinhais is also part of the Montesinho Natural Park, with a significant interest on the rural and agricultural kind of life and the wild life preservation. Among the protected species are the Iberian Wolf, Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Iberian Lynx, Common Genet, Red Fox and European Otter. To accomplished a better understanding of the wild life, is now under construction a Biological Park (Parque Biológico de Vinhais), in the Ciradelha Mountain.

Coat of Arms and flag

The coat of arms' shield color is red with four silver-colored grapes, two on the left and the other two on the right. There is a tower with one door and two windows in the center and a further four towers at the top.

The colors of Vinhais's flag are black and white, white at the top-left and bottom-right and black at the top-right and bottom-left.

External links

* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Vinhais&country=PT Mapquest - Vinhais]
* [http://www.cm-vinhais.pt/index.asp Municipality official government]
* [http://www.bragancanet.pt/vinhais/vslomba/vinhais.html Vinais]