- Portugalete
Spanish city
native_name = Portugalete
spanish_name = Portugelete
nickname = La Villa Jarrillera
city_motto =
city_motto_means =
image_flag_size = 100px
image_coat_of_arms = Escudo_de_Portugalete.svg
image_coat_of_arms_size = 100px
image_city_
image_city_map_size = 200px
image_city_map_caption = Location of Portugalete in Biscay.
lat_long = coord|43|19|10|N|3|1|10.50|W|display=inline
time_zone = CET (GMT +1)
time_zone_summer = CEST (GMT +2)
image_skyline_size = 250px
founded = 1300
native_language = Basque
community = Basque Country
community_link = Basque Country (autonomous community)
province = Biscay
province_link = Biscay
comarca = Greater Bilbao
comarca_link = Greater Bilbao
divisions =
neighborhoods =
mayor = Mikel Torres
political_party = PSE
political_party_link = Partido Socialista Obrero Español
area = 3.21
altitude = 10
population = 51,066
date-population = 2001
population-ranking =
density = 15,908.4
date-density = 2001
website = http://www.portugalete.org/
postal_code = 480XX
area_code = 94Portugalete is a town lying to the west of
Bilbao ( _eu. Bilbo) in the province ofBiscay in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the North of Spain. The town has 51,066 inhabitants (2001 census) and is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area. It is located at the mouth of theEstuary of Bilbao , on the left bank. Its land area is only 3.21 km², resulting in apopulation density of 15,908.4 persons/km², the fifth-most densely populated municipality in Spain (followingMislata ,L'Hospitalet de Llobregat ,Benetússer , andSanta Coloma de Gramenet ).In 1300 Portugalete became the main competitor port for Bilbao, but it lost its predominant position in 1511 when the trade privileges were granted to the
Port of Bilbao instead of Portugalete.The transporter bridge
The city is famously known for the "
Vizcaya Bridge ", atransporter bridge . The car ferry is suspended from a frame by wires attached to wheels on tracks above the cabin and moves from one side of the River Nervión to the other (Getxo ) via atraction system.This bridge was declared a
World Heritage Site onjuly 13 2006 .Events and Festivals
San Roque Festivals - 16th AugustThey officially last four days, from August 14 until August 17, the main festivities occurring on August 15 and August 16, "San Roque" day. "La Diana Portugaluja" is the song that is sung in the morning August 15, eve of "San Roque" day. "Los Portugalujos", the people of Portugalete meet up in the Town Hall square singing the song, in order to liven up the festival.
Other monuments
Other important monuments in Portugalete include the 15th century Basílica of Santa María, Salazar's Tower, and the town hall in addition to the old medieval arches and streets in the older part of the city.
External links
* [http://www.portugalete.org/ Official website] (in Basque / Spanish)
* [http://www.euskomedia.org/euskomedia/SAunamendi?idi=en&op=7&voz=PORTUGALETE PORTUGALETE in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa)] es icon
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