Sesimbra

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Sesimbra


image_coat_of_arms = SSB.png

---

Region = Lisboa
Subregion = Península de Setúbal
District = Setubal
Mayor_name = Augusto Pólvora
Mayor_party = CDU
area_total = 195.0
population_total = 42,076
population_density = 215
Parishes = 3
coor = 38º43'N 9º11'W
params = 38_43_N_9_11_W_
occasion =
day = May 4
website = http://www.mun-sesimbra.pt

Sesimbra (pron. IPA2|sɨ'zĩbɾɐ) is a municipality of Portugal, in the Setúbal district, lying at the foothills of the "Serra da Arrábida", a mountain range between Setúbal and Sesimbra.

Due to its particular position at the Bay of Setúbal, near the mouth of the Sado river and its natural harbour, it’s an important fishing town, with a total area of 195.0 km² and a total population of 37,567 inhabitants.

The present Mayor is Augusto Pólvora.

General info

Besides professional fishing and sport fishing (mainly of swordfish), the most significant revenues in Sesimbra come from tourism. The town is famous for its beaches, fish restaurants and nightlife.

The original name of Celtic origin was Sesimbriga, meaning the Burg (Briga) of the Celtic tribe the Sesim.

Close by, on a mountaintop, 240 m above sea level, lies strategically (the ruins of) the Moorish castle. It was taken from the Moors, during the Portuguese Reconquista in the year 1165 by king Afonso Henriques with the help of Frank Crusaders. The battlements afford a beautiful panorama over Sesimbra, its harbour and the surrounding countryside.

During the Age of Discoveries, Sesimbra became an important seaport. Even king Manuel I lived here for a while. In the 17th century the fort "Fortaleza de Santiago" was built along the beach, as part of Portugal's coastal defence. It was even used in the 18th century by Portuguese kings as a seaside retreat.

A tourist travelling to Sesimbra can appreciate its beaches, traditional fish restaurants and the Arrábida National Park.

Close to the Moorish castle is the church Nossa Senhora do Castelo. It stands on the spot where king Sancho I built a Romanesque chapel in the early 13th century, leading to the creation in 1388 of the parish of Nossa Senhora do Castelo de Sesimbra. The present church was built in 1721. When a new church was built in the village, this church passed into disuse and fell into ruins. It was restored between 1965 and 2001. The walls of the church are inlaid with beautiful azulejos. The 17th century-pulpit was made from local pink marble. The gilded triumphal arch of the 18th century-choir is decorated with Manueline motives. On the left side of the choir stands in a niche the gilded and polychromed statue of the Madonna of the Castle on a giant shell.

There is a local radio station in the municipality, "Sesimbra FM".

Parishes

*Castelo
*Quinta do Conde
*Santiago

Gallery

References

*The Rough Guide to Portugal; 11th edition, March 2005; ISBN 1-84353-438-X
*Rentes de Carvalho, J. - Portugal, um guia para amigos (in Dutch translation : Portugal); De Arbeiderspers, 9th ed. August 1999; ISBN 9029534575

External links

* [http://www.costa-azul.rts.pt/ Costa Azul Tourist Region]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72057594052867236/ Photos from Sesimbra]
* [http://homepage.mac.com/wkaemena/FS/Portugal/SesimbraCastle2/index_swf.html Interactive Panoramic View from the Castle (Flash)]