Belver (Gavião)
Template:Infobox Portuguese subdivision Belver is a Portuguese civil parish in the municipality of Gavião, district of Portalegre. The population in 2011 was 684,<ref name=ine>Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Census 2011 results according to the 2013 administrative division of Portugal</ref> in an area of 69.84 km2.<ref name=dgt>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is situated along the northern bank of the Tagus River.
History
On 13 June 1194, the region of Belver was donated by King Sancho I of Portugal to the Knights Hospitaller, with the condition that the knights were required to build a castle in the site.<ref name="SIPAC4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Between 1383 and 1385, Belver aligned itself with the forces of Leonor Telles de Menezes against the Master of Avis.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
In the 16th century, the parochial church was constructed. On 18 May 1518, King Manuel I of Portugal conceded a foral (charter) to Belver.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
In the 17th century, the village was surveyed by Pedro Nunes Tinoco, and determined to be under the authority of the Priory of Crato.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
In 1836, the municipality of Belver was extinguished and the region was integrated into the municipality of Mação.<ref name=SIPAC4/> This remained in effect until the end of the century, when in 1898 it was integrated into the municipality of Gavião.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
In 1905 a bridge was completed over the Ribeira de Belver.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
Geography
Belver is the northernmost civil parish of the municipality, and the only on the northern margin of the Tagus River (the remaining parishes of Gavião are on lands south of the Tagus). It is bordered by Gavião and Atalaia parishes (in the south), while surrounded by the parishes of Envendos, Mação and Ortiga (in the neighbouring municipality of Mação) to the northeast, north and northwest, respectively. It is located Template:Convert from the urban centre of Gavião along the left margin of the Tagus.
The parish is situated in river valley, Template:Convert from the right margin of the Tagus River, along the confluence of the Ribeira de Belver.<ref name=SIPAC4/> Its highest elevation is occupied by the Template:Convert hilltop surmounted by the Castle of Belver, while the urban area is Template:Convert above sea level. Surrounding these hilltops are several olive orchards.<ref name=SIPAC4/>
It is accessible by rail-link (the Beira Baixa railway), with its stop in the city centre. Alternatively, the main access is along the A23/IP6/E806 motorway (Auto-Estrada da Beira-Interior), passing through the northern part of the parish, then Template:Convert south to the Tagus basin.
Architecture
Archaeological
- Dolmen of Penedo Gordo (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAA1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Civic
- Belver Dam (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAC1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Domingos da Vinha Museum (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAC1b">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Old Fountain (Degracia) (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAC2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Military
- Castle of Belver (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAM1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Religious
- Chapel of São Brás (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAR1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Visitação (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAR3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Pilar (Template:Langx)<ref name="SIPAR2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
References
- Notes
- Sources