Galveias

Civil parish

Coat of arms

Galveias

Coordinates: 39°09′36″N 7°59′53″W / 39.160°N 7.998°WCoordinates: 39°09′36″N 7°59′53″W / 39.160°N 7.998°W

Country

Area

• Total

79.83 km² (30.82 sq mi)

Elevation

224 m (735 ft)

Population (2011)

• Total

1,061

• Density

13/km² (34/sq mi)

Postal code

7400

Area code

242

Patron

São Lourenço

Website

http://jfgalveias.pt/

Galveias is a civil parish in the municipality of Ponte de Sor, in the Portuguese northern Alentejo, district of Portalegre. The population in 2011 was 1,061, in an area of 79.83 km². The small parish developed under the patronage of Order of Aviz, endowments from the Marquês Ratão family.

The founding of this settlement is attributed to friar Lourenço Afonso, a master in the Order of Aviz, in 1342. Galveias was a priory in the Order of Avis, and benefited from the Order's wealth, and religious patronage. But, economically, the region was already a prosperous agricultural centre, supported by the cultivation of oranges and raising of local poultry (both emblematic of its coat-of-arms). It was originally known as Vila Nova do Laranjal because of its many orange groves. In addition, olive oil and wine (currently marketed under the Marques Ratão brand) were produced and commercialized by its citizens.

Jorge de Alencastre, son of King John II, first expanded the settlement in 1425.

On 1 January 1512, the settlers benefited from a foral (charter) issued by the Aviz, and granted by King Manuel I. By 1538, King John III elevated the settlement to the status of town.

Important to the regions growth were the Counts of Galveias: the first titular, Dinis de Melo e Castro, was installed in 1691 (there were 10 titular until it was ultimately extinguished in 1940).

Galveias is situated in the municipality of Ponte de Sor: it is located 14 kilometres from the municipal seat, and 18 kilometres from the town of Avís, crossed by the E.N.244 motorway.

The local population is concentrated in the main town (Galveias), in which the homes are older dwellings, apart from two modern residential developments. Comprising 1800 residents, it is composed of primarily seniors (having the highest percentage of older adults), in addition to an elevated number of immigrants (primarily from the United Kingdom).

Galveias has its own administrative council (Portuguese: Assembleia da Freguesia) and executive (Portuguese: Junta de Freguesia), post of the G.N.R, poste office and one banking institution. In addition to the kindergarten (Escola EB/J D. Anita), which receives 3 to 4 year oldes until primary, it also has its own primary school (Escola de Galveias) consisting of pre-primary, primary and pre-secondary students, consisting of six classrooms.

...
Wikipedia