Golegã

Infobox Municipality pt
official_name = Golegã
image_coat_of_arms = GLG.png

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Region = Ribatejo
Subregion = Lezíria do Tejo
District = Santarém
Mayor_name = José Veiga Maltez
Mayor_party = PS
area_total = 76.6
population_total = 5,629
population_density = 73
Parishes = 2
coor = 39º24'N 8º29'W
params = 39_24_N_8_29_W
occasion = Ascension Day
day = date varies
website = http://www.cm-golega.pt

Golegã (pron. IPA2|golɨ'gɐ̃ or just [IPA|goɫ'gɐ̃] ) is a small municipality in Portugal with a total area of 76.6 km² and a total population of 5,629 inhabitants.

The municipality is composed of 2 parishes, and is located in the district of Santarém.

The present Mayor is José Tavares Veiga da Silva Maltez, elected by the Socialist Party.

The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.

Parishes

* Azinhaga
* Golegã

Population

Historical sights

The main historical sight of Golegã is its main church ("matriz"), built in the early 16th century in Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) style. The remarkable main portal and the ribbed vaulting inside the main chapel are its most important artistic features.

Near Golegã village is located the "Quinta da Cardiga", a manor house with its origin in a 12th century donation to the Knights Templar. Originally the site of a castle, the property was remodelled in the 16th century into a Renaissance rural palace.

Personalities

The winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature, José Saramago, was born in the parish of Azinhaga in 1922.

Horse capital

Golegã is considered the capital of the horse ("Capital do Cavalo"), and it has been the site for the gathering of breeders since at least the 18th century. Two fairs take place every November in Golegã: The "Feira Nacional do Cavalo" (National Horse Fair) and the "Feira Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano", dedicated to the Lusitano horse.

External links

* [http://www.cm-golega.pt Municipality official website]
* [http://www.horsefairlusitano.org/ingles/ingles.htm Site of the National Horse Fair in Golegã]
* [http://reportages.aube-nature.com/golega-feira-lusitano.php Feira nacionale do cavalo (photo reporting)]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72157600539681992/ Photos from Golegã]
* [http://www.golega.net/ Golegã.NET]