Arcozelo (Vila Nova de Gaia)

Arcozelo
Civil parish
Traditional fishing boat and a sculpture of a diver, in the beach resort Aguda
Arcozelo
Coordinates: 41°03′00″N 8°38′46″W / 41.050°N 8.646°W / 41.050; -8.646Coordinates: 41°03′00″N 8°38′46″W / 41.050°N 8.646°W / 41.050; -8.646
Country	Portugal
Region	Norte
Subregion	Grande Porto
Metropolitan area	Porto
District	Porto
Municipality	Vila Nova de Gaia
Area
• Total	8.50 km2 (3.28 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	14,352
• Density	1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi)
Postal code	4405
Patron	São Miguel

Arcozelo is a freguesia in the municipality (concelho) of Vila Nova de Gaia. The population in 2011 was 14,352, in an area of 8.50 km².

Arcozelo's name derives from the Latin words arcoze or arcu celus, both meaning small arch, from the period of the first century.

The parish was a construct of four settlements, Arcozelo, Enxomil, Mira and Vila Chã, which initially went by the name of Santa Maria de Arcozelo, and only much later adopted the name São Miguel de Arcozelo.

Arcozelo is a progressive parish of the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, losing many of its origins over time; it is assumed that in 1113, before the founding of the nation, there were references to a settlement of Arcuzello. It was Manuel I of Portugal that first issued a foral (charter), on 20 January 1518, from records in the Forais Novos da Estremadura.

The village of Arcozelo was elevated to the status of town on 1 February 1988.

Arcozelo is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the centre of the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Porto and about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Espinho, with roadways and raillines providing access to many of the centres of northern and central Portugal, and former province of Douro Litoral. With the ocean on its western frontier, the parish is surrounded in the north by the parish of Gulpilhares, Serzedo in the east and São Félix da Marinha in the south.

The beach of Praia da Aguda is one of the areas most important features, traditionally used by the artesanal fishing fleet, using techniques commonly used during older generations. In order to conserve these older traditions and protect the local marine flora and fauna, the municipal council of Vila Nova de Gaia realized project unheard of in the north: the creation of a Estação Litoral da Aguda (Aguda Coastal Station), that included a Museu das Pescas (Fishing Museum), a public aquarium and departmente responsible for research into marine ecology, aquaculture and fishing (Departamento de Educação e Investigação).