Ferragudo

Parish

The centre of Ferragudo, seen from across the Arade River

Coat of arms

Ferragudo

Coordinates: 37°07′26″N 8°31′16″W / 37.124°N 8.521°WCoordinates: 37°07′26″N 8°31′16″W / 37.124°N 8.521°W

Country

Area

• Total

5.41 km² (2.09 sq mi)

Population (2011)

• Total

1,973

• Density

360/km² (940/sq mi)

Patron

Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Website

http://www.f-ferragudo.pt/

Ferragudo is a Portuguese civil parish at the western border of the municipality of Lagoa. The population in 2011 was 1,973, in an area of 5.41 km². Ferragudo serves mainly as a bedroom community for its much larger neighbour, the city of Portimão; its residents routinely travel across the Arade River to work in the neighboring municipality.

There have been various explanations for the community's name: from the inheritance of Ferragudo in Castro Verde, the fort of Ferragudo in Vila Viçosa, the Spanishman Johane Anes Ferro Agudo de Espanha or the locality of Ferragudo. The most plausible explanation is the traditional one, probably from the 14th century, which suggested the existence of an iron machine that existed on the beach of Angrinha, and which was used to raise fish for market. This iron machinery or "engenho de ferro", which was relatively "pointy" or "agudo" evolved into "ferro agudo" or Ferragudo.

Ferragudo was known to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans, who were attracted to the mouth of the Arade River for its shelter and access to the Atlantic Ocean. In the 14th century, fishermen began to settle in the region, primarily to avoid the winter storms that afflicted the Atlantic coast. In 1520, Queen Leonor, noting the potential of area, secured its protection and thereby allowed continued occupation of the territory. The privileges conceded to the region mimicked those extended to Silves and its inhabitants. Consequently, the Bishop of the Algarve began to reside in the area. Similarly, the Bishop of Silves, D. Fernando Coutinho erected a wall to protect the population, at the same time ordering the construction of the local castle; he remained in the area until his death.

In the 18th century, the local economy evolved, based on fishing and agriculture inland, secure in the support of the monarchy, which resulted in a growth of population. This change led to the de-annexation of the territory of Ferragudo from Estômbar in 1749. For a long time the territory of Ferragudo was shared between its neighbouring parishes of Lagoa and of Estômbar after it was separated from the municipality of Silves on 26 January 1773.

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Wikipedia