Miranda do Corvo
| Miranda do Corvo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipality | |||
A view of Miranda do Corvo from the Alto do Calvário
|
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
| Coordinates: 40°06′N 8°20′W / 40.100°N 8.333°WCoordinates: 40°06′N 8°20′W / 40.100°N 8.333°W | |||
| Country |
 Portugal
|
||
| Region | Centro | ||
| Subregion | Pinhal Interior Norte | ||
| Intermunic. comm. | Região de Coimbra | ||
| District | Coimbra | ||
| Parishes | 4 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 126.38 km2 (48.80 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2011) | |||
| • Total | 13,098 | ||
| • Density | 100/km2 (270/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1) | ||
| Website | www |
||
Miranda do Corvo (Portuguese pronunciation: [miˈɾɐ̃dɐ ðu ˈkoɾvu]) is a town and a municipality in the Portuguese district of Coimbra, with an area of 126.38 square kilometres (48.80 sq mi) and 2011 population of 13,098 inhabitants.
The first reference to the region of Miranda do Corvo arrived at the end of the 10th century, although evidence of archaeological evidence to human settlement extend further back in history. The 10th century document that referenced these lands were associated with the Monastery of Lorvão in 998, that identified a military structure in Miranda do Corvo, that included tower. Today there is recognition that the settlement of Vila Nova occurred in pre-history and that Chão de Lamas during a proto-historical interval. Archaeological excavations around the Roman settlement of Eira Velha in Lamas also unearthed the vestiges of the agricultural community important along Roman roadways.
The oldest settlement, in Alto do Calvário, suggests a period colonization dating to the Middle Ages, from dating of tombs and earthen burial excavation. Included in the discoveries were:
The primary settlement of Miranda do Corvo developed around its castle which, owing to location and defensibility, guarded the access along the old Roman roadway that crossed Corvo and connected Sellium (Tomar) to Aeminium (Coimbra), as well as the interior of the western interior peninsula. Its all-encompassing position and vantage resulted in its adopting of the name "Miranda", from the Latin Mirandus (meaning "watchtower").
The settlement was likely to have grown around the hilltop of Alto do Calvário. But, although important in the Mondego defensive line during the Christian reconquest of Coimbra, little information survives of Miranda's role. In 1116, the region was attacked by Almoravid raiders, but held back in Coimbra. The castle of Miranda do Corvo was destroyed in the 12th century, resulting in the destruction of the fortification walls, many deaths and peoples imprisoned. The castle remained in ruin for sometime, although it is unclear at what point it was reconstructed.
On 19 November 1136 Miranda received its first foral (charter) from D. Afonso Henriques, which was confirmed by King D. Afonso II.
...
Wikipedia