São João (Abrantes)
| São João | |
|---|---|
| Parish | |
 São João
|
|
| Coordinates: 39°27′27″N 8°11′39″W / 39.4575°N 8.1942°WCoordinates: 39°27′27″N 8°11′39″W / 39.4575°N 8.1942°W | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Centro |
| Subregion | Médio Tejo |
| Municipality | Abrantes |
| Disbanded | 2013 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.21 km2 (0.85 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 1,699 |
| • Density | 770/km2 (2,000/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 2200-397 |
| Patron | São João Baptista |
São João, or São João Baptista, is a former civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Abrantes (São Vicente e São João) e Alferrarede. The population in 2011 was 1,699, in an area of 2.21 km². It was one of the three parishes that make up the urbanized area of the city.
The origin of São João has its base in the early settlement of Abrantes, first documented in 1176. Afonso Henriques granted its castle to the Order of Santiago de la Espada in 1173. Three years later, he granted its fish channel to the Monastery of Lorvão. The grant was partly in aid of the residents, but entitled the King to nine-tenths of the catch. In 1179, Afonso Henriques granted a foral to Abrantes, which was confirmed by King Afonso II in 1217. On 24 April 1281, King Denis granted Abrantes to his wife, Queen Elizabeth of Portugal. He continued to expand the fort, building the detention block. With the aim of expanding the settlement, he extended its jurisdiction to include Punhete (today's Constância).
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Abrantes was an important military base, classified a Praça de Guerra de 1.ª Ordem (English: War Plaza of the First Order).
In 1807, during the Napoleonic invasions of the peninsula, the fort and parish were a staging point for Marshall Jean-Andoche Junot's troops (23 November). Later, Marshall André Masséna's forces encircled the fort and settlement, but the Anglo-Portuguese troops and local inhabitants defended the parish, until he was forced to retire from Portugal to Spain.
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