Lamego

Municipality

Flag

Coat of arms

Coordinates: 41°6′3″N 7°48′36″W / 41.10083°N 7.81000°WCoordinates: 41°6′3″N 7°48′36″W / 41.10083°N 7.81000°W

Country

Portugal

Government

• President

Francisco Manuel Lopes (PPD-PSD - CDS-PP)

Area

• Total

165.42 km² (63.87 sq mi)

Elevation

644 m (2,113 ft)

Population (2011)

• Total

26,691

• Density

160/km² (420/sq mi)

Time zone

WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)

Postal code

5100

Patron

Santa Maria Maior

Website

http://www.cm-lamego.pt

Lamego ( Portuguese pronunciation: [lɐˈmeɣu]) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region of the Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a population of 26,691, in an area of 165.42 km².

With origins before the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, Lamego is known for its historic city center, having a long history as a principal city of the former Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province. Legend holds that the first Portuguese Cortes were held in Lamego, in 1143.The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lamego is based in the city center.

The toponomic name Lamego was derived from Lamaecus, a name Roman-Hispanic derivative to indicate the possessor of agrarian titles in the 3rd century around the local castle.

The area around Lamego was inhabited by Ligures and Turduli, and during the Roman presence it was occupied by Coelerni, which left behind several monuments. Due to the placement of the castle, it is likely that a castro originally existed on the site. During the Inquirições (Inventory/Enquiries) of King Afonso (during the 13th century) there was reference to the Castro de Lameco, referred to as a medieval fortification. Destroyed by the Romans, the inhabitants were forced to descend into the valley and cultivate the land, as part of the Roman reorganization of the land.

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Wikipedia