Torres Vedras

Municipality

The city of Torres Vedras as seen from the hilltop Castle of Torres Vedras

Flag

Coat of arms

Coordinates: 39°5′N 9°16′W / 39.083°N 9.267°WCoordinates: 39°5′N 9°16′W / 39.083°N 9.267°W

Country

Portugal

Government

• President

Carlos Manuel Antunes Bernardes (PS)

Area

• Total

407.15 km² (157.20 sq mi)

Population (2011)

• Total

79,465

• Density

200/km² (510/sq mi)

Time zone

WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)

Postal code

2560

Area code

261

Patron

Santa Maria do Castelo and São Gonçalo de Lagos

Website

http://www.cm-tvedras.pt

Torres Vedras (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtoʁɨʒ ˈvɛðɾɐʃ]) is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Lisbon, approximately 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the capital Lisbon in subregion Oeste of the Centro region. The population in 2011 was 79,465, in an area of 407.15 km².

In 1148, Afonso I took from the Moors the town of Torres Vedras, in the then region of Estremadura, an area encircled by gentle hills and valleys. Situated in the former district of Lisbon, Torres Vedras is a strong agricultural region linked with its vineyards and intense commercial and industrial life, resulting in a dynamic pole in the western subregion of Portugal. King Afonso III conceded a foral (charter) in 1250, which was later confirmed by King Manuel I in 1510. This latter decree conferred on the town many of the municipal privileges that it held for 729 year

While travelling through this district, King Afonso III and Queen Beatrice, ordered the construction of a municipal hall, alongside the ancient castle (which today no longer exists). For his part, King Denis, his successor, was captivated by local Gracia Frois, fathering an illegitimate son, who would go on to be Count of Barcelos. Later, the municipality was donated to the Queens of the realm, and in particular, under the Aviz dynasty, the Infanta Eleonor (daughter of King Edward and Queen Eleanor), who would later marry Frederick III of Germany, was born in Torres Vedras (18 September 1434).

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Wikipedia