View source for Portalegre, Portugal

{{Other uses|Portalegre (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Porto Alegre}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Portuguese subdivision
|type            = municipality
|official_name   = City of Portalegre
|image_flag      = Pt-ptg1.png
|flag_border     = no
|image_shield    = PTG.png
|image_skyline   = {{Photomontage
|photo1a         = Panoramica (Portalegre) (cropped).jpg
|photo2a         = Mosteiro de Sao Bernardo (Portalegre) (cropped).jpg
|photo2b         = Palácio Avilez.jpg
|photo3a         = Portalegre - Portugal (47536693801) (cropped).jpg
|photo3b         = Portalegre (465015846).jpg
|photo3c         = Portalegre (465021097) (cropped).jpg
|spacing         = 2
|position        = center
|color_border    = white
|color           = white
|size            = 280
|foot_montage    =
}}
|coordinates     = {{coord|39|19|N|7|25|W|type:adm1st_region:PT_dim:100000|display=inline,title}}
| image_map      = LocalPortalegre.svg
|region          = [[Alentejo]]
|CIM             = [[Alto Alentejo (intermunicipal community)|Alto Alentejo]]
|district        = [[Portalegre District|Portalegre]]
|parishes        = [[#Parishes|7]]
|leader_party    = [[Independent politician|Ind.]]
|leader_name     = Adelaide Teixeira
|area_total_km2  = 447.14
|elevation       = 480
|population_total= 22,368
|population_as_of= 2021
|holiday         = 23 May
|website         = {{website|http://www.cm-portalegre.pt}}
}}
'''Portalegre''' ({{IPA|pt-PT|puɾtɐˈlɛɣɾɨ|pron|Pt-pt Portalegre FF.ogg}}), officially the '''City of Portalegre''' ({{langx|pt|Cidade de Portalegre}}), is a [[municipalities of Portugal|municipality]] in Portugal. The population {{as of|2011|lc=y}} was 22,368,<ref>[http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xlang=en&xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0005889&contexto=pi&selTab=tab0 Instituto Nacional de Estatística]</ref> in an area of {{convert|447.14|km2}}.<ref name=dgt>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |title=Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país |access-date=2018-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105172426/http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |archive-date=2018-11-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The municipality is located by the [[Serra de São Mamede]] in the [[Portalegre District]].

Its name comes from the Latin [[wiktionary:Portus|Portus]] [[wiktionary:Alacer|Alacer]] (meaning "cheerful port"). The municipal holiday is 23 May. According to the 2001 [[census]] the city of Portalegre had 15,768 inhabitants in its two parishes (Sé and São Lourenço). These two parishes, plus the eight rural parishes, had a total of 25,608 inhabitants. The current mayor is Adelaide Teixeira, who was elected as an [[Independent (politician)|independent]].{{when|date=October 2015}}

==History==
According to a frequently mentioned legend, described by Friar Amador Arrais in his 1589 work, ''Diálogos'',<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arraes |first1=Amador |title=Dialogos de dom Frey Amador Arraiz Bispo de Portalegre |date=1604 |publisher=na officina de Diogo Gomez Lovreyro |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0i_NNYyMoAEC |access-date=22 June 2021 |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Portalegre was founded by Lísias in the 12th century BC, following the disappearance of his daughter Maia. She was walking with Tobias when she is coveted by a vagabond, Dolme, who kidnaps and murders Tobias.

Lísias is desperate for his daughter's disappearance and goes in search of her, eventually finding her dead by a stream that today is named Ribeiro de Baco. Lísias will die of joy when she thinks she has seen her daughter extend her arms to her. The city that was founded in the meantime was given the name of [[Roman villa of Ammaia|Ammaia]]. Lysias would also have built a fortress and a temple dedicated to [[Bacchus]] on the site where the Church of São Cristóvão stands today. According to Friar Amador Arrais, ruins of this temple still existed in the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tavares |first1=Maria de Lourdes C. |last2=Têso |first2=José M. Da Costa |title=Municipium de Ammaia, Património Romano no Nordeste Alentejano |url=http://cienciasdonossotempo.no.sapo.pt/cidade_de_ammaia.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004153000/http://cienciasdonossotempo.no.sapo.pt/cidade_de_ammaia.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-10-04 |publisher=webcitation.org |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>

It is believed the legend resulted from fantasies somehow supported by the existence of a tombstone with a dedication to the Roman emperor [[Commodus]] (161-192), which was probably brought from the ruins of the Roman city at São Salvador da Aramenha, near [[Marvão]], which is now commonly accepted as the Roman Ammaia referred to in various historical sources.{{cn|date=October 2021}} 

The location of this and other cities mentioned in sources from the Roman period, Medóbriga, was the subject of controversy until, at least, the beginning of the 20th century, with speculation until that time whether there were any important ancient settlements in the area currently occupied by the city or in its surroundings.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

The name of Portalegre comes from ''Portus Alacer'' (meaning "happy" port or crossing point). It is likely that in the 12th century there was a village in the valley to the east of Serra da Penha. The name of Portalegre, where one of the important activities would be to provide shelter and food for travelers (hence the name of port, crossing point or supply). The contrast of its green slopes and valleys with the more arid and monotonous landscape to the south and north may have contributed to its name. The village prospered. In 1129, it was a village in the municipality of [[Marvão]], becoming the seat of the municipality in 1253, having been awarded the first charter in 1259 by [[Afonso III of Portugal|Afonso III]], who ordered the construction of the first fortifications, which were never completed.<ref name="citation"/>

Along with Marvão, [[Castelo de Vide]] and [[Arronches]], Portalegre was donated by Afonso III to his second son, [[Afonso of Portugal, Lord of Portalegre|Afonso]].<ref name="citation"/>

[[File:Porta de Alegrete (Portalegre).jpg|thumb|left|Porta de Alegrete, one of two gates of the [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain walls]] of the [[Castle of Portalegre]]]]
The next [[Denis of Portugal|king]] ordered the construction of the first walls in 1290, which he himself would surround for 5 months in 1299, following the civil war that opposed him to his brother, who asserted the throne claiming that Denis was an [[illegitimate child]].{{cn|date=October 2021}} 

That same year, Denis would grant Portalegre the privilege of not being assigned the lordship of the village "neither the infant, nor the rich man, nor the rich lady, but being of the King and of his first heir son".{{cn|date=October 2021}}

After [[Ferdinand I of Portugal|Ferdinand I]] died in 1383 without leaving any male heirs, [[Leonor Teles]] assumed the regency of the Kingdom at the same time that she became acquainted with [[João Fernandes Andeiro|Count Andeiro]], a Galician nobleman. This situation upset a large part of the people, the bourgeoisie and a part of the nobility, as it was feared that this situation would reinforce the claims to the Portuguese throne of [[John I of Castile|John I]] of [[Kingdom of Castile|Castile]], who was married to [[Beatrice of Portugal|Beatrice]], the daughter of Ferdinand and Leonor.{{cn|date=October 2021}} 

This dynastic crisis, which involved a warlike civil war between Portugal and Castile, would come to be known as the [[1383-1385 Crisis]]. The strongest party among those who opposed the claims to the throne of John I of Castile and D. Beatrice supported the coronation of [[John I of Portugal|John of Aviz]].{{cn|date=October 2021}} 

Among the nobles who supported John of Aviz was [[Nuno Álvares Pereira]], brother of the then mayor of Portalegre, [[Pedro Álvares Pereira]], [[Prior of Crato]], who was a staunch supporter of Leonor. This position of the mayor provoked the revolt of the people of Portalegre, which surrounded the castle and forced Dom Pedro to flee to [[Crato, Portugal|Crato]]. The former mayor would die in 1385 at the [[Battle of Aljubarrota]], where he fought on the opposite side of his brother, Nuno.<ref name="citation"/>

The town grew in importance and on August 21, 1549 the [[Diocese of Portalegre]] was created, by a [[Papal bull|bull]] of [[Pope Paul III]], following steps in this direction by [[John III of Portugal|John III]], who would elevate Portalegre to the city on 23 May 1550.

The importance of the city at that time was reflected, for example, in the volume of revenue from the tax on [[Jews|Jewish]] quarters, which was similar to that of [[Porto]], and only surpassed by those of [[Lisbon]], [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]] and [[Setúbal]]. It was also one of the most important fabric industry centers in the country, along with [[Estremoz]] and [[Covilhã]].<ref name="citation">{{cite web |title=As origens da cidade de Portalegre |url=http://cm-portalegre.pt/page.php?page=349 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129070629/http://www.cm-portalegre.pt/page.php?page=349 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-01-29 |publisher=webcitation.org |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Portalegre sitiada y rendida por El Rey N. S. en 8 de Junio en 1704 (c. 1715) - Nicolas de Fer a partir de desenho de Filippo Pallotta.png|thumb|right|Engraving depicting the siege of Portalegre by the troops of [[Philip V of Spain]] in 1704]]
Owing to its proximity to the border with [[Spain]], over the years Portalegre endured many invasions by foreign troops.{{cn|date=October 2021}} 

In 1704, during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], it was attacked and conquered by the army of [[Philip V of Spain|Felipe V]]; again in 1801 during the [[War of the Oranges]], it surrendered to the Spanish Army, in an attempt to counter the French dominion. In 1847, it was occupied by forces of the Spanish General Concha.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

Portalegre becomes capital of the [[Portalegre District|homonymous district]] when the [[Districts of Portugal|districts]] were formed on 18 July 1835.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

== Geography ==
[[File:Portalegre - Portugal (30811524717).jpg|thumb|left|300px|Panorama of the city of Portalegre, Alentejo]]
Although the landscape of the municipalities north of Portalegre is still typically [[Alentejo]], with relatively flat areas alternating with mostly relatively low hills, Portalegre is often described as a transition zone between the drier, flat Alentejo and the [[Beira (Portugal)|Beiras]], wetter and mountainous. The terrain is more varied than in the rest of Alentejo in general, which contributes to the landscape having its own peculiar characteristics.

The city is located at an altitude of between {{convert|400|and|600|meters|abbr=on}}, in the transition zone between the relatively flat landscape, but with many low hills to the south and west, and the mountainous system of [[Serra de São Mamede]], which surrounds it to the north, east and southeast.

The geology is varied, which translates into the variety of soils, with zones of [[schist]], [[greywacke]], [[limestone]] and [[quartzite]].

The unique characteristics of the landscape, flora and fauna are at the base of the creation of the [[Serra de São Mamede Natural Park]], which includes a considerable part of the municipality's area.

===Climate===
Portalegre has a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa'') with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Its position at the foot of Serra de São Mamede gives it cooler day temperatures, higher precipitation and lower insolation than the surrounding municipalities.

{{Weather box
| location = Portalegre (elevation: {{convert|597|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}), 1991-2020 normals
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 22.3
| Feb record high C = 23.4
| Mar record high C = 27.4
| Apr record high C = 31.0
| May record high C = 34.8
| Jun record high C = 40.2
| Jul record high C = 41.7
| Aug record high C = 41.9
| Sep record high C = 41.3
| Oct record high C = 33.7
| Nov record high C = 25.7
| Dec record high C = 21.1
| year record high C = 
| Jan high C = 11.6
| Feb high C = 13.2
| Mar high C = 16.3
| Apr high C = 18.1
| May high C = 22.3
| Jun high C = 27.4
| Jul high C = 31.2
| Aug high C = 31.3
| Sep high C = 26.8
| Oct high C = 20.7
| Nov high C = 14.8
| Dec high C = 12.3
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 8.7
| Feb mean C = 9.7
| Mar mean C = 12.2
| Apr mean C = 13.6
| May mean C = 17.2
| Jun mean C = 21.3
| Jul mean C = 24.3
| Aug mean C = 24.5
| Sep mean C = 21.5
| Oct mean C = 16.9
| Nov mean C = 11.8
| Dec mean C = 9.6
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 5.8
| Feb low C = 6.1
| Mar low C = 8.0
| Apr low C = 9.1
| May low C = 12.1
| Jun low C = 15.2
| Jul low C = 17.3
| Aug low C = 17.8
| Sep low C = 16.2
| Oct low C = 13.1
| Nov low C = 8.9
| Dec low C = 6.8
| year low C = 
| Jan record low C = -4.5
| Feb record low C = -3.7
| Mar record low C = -4.3
| Apr record low C = -0.2
| May record low C = 2.3
| Jun record low C = 5.0
| Jul record low C = 8.2
| Aug record low C = 9.4
| Sep record low C = 8.3
| Oct record low C = 2.3
| Nov record low C = 0.3
| Dec record low C = -1.2
| year record low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 105.5
| Feb precipitation mm = 81.3
| Mar precipitation mm = 83.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 79.4
| May precipitation mm = 68.7
| Jun precipitation mm = 17.5
| Jul precipitation mm = 4.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 8.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 40.7
| Oct precipitation mm = 124.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 116.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 108.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 10.0
| Feb precipitation days = 8.1
| Mar precipitation days = 8.5
| Apr precipitation days = 8.9
| May precipitation days = 7.1
| Jun precipitation days = 2.9
| Jul precipitation days = 1.0
| Aug precipitation days = 1.5
| Sep precipitation days = 4.2
| Oct precipitation days = 9.6
| Nov precipitation days = 9.8
| Dec precipitation days = 9.4
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity = 77
| Feb humidity = 74
| Mar humidity = 65
| Apr humidity = 68
| May humidity = 65
| Jun humidity = 56
| Jul humidity = 47
| Aug humidity = 48
| Sep humidity = 55
| Oct humidity = 68
| Nov humidity = 75
| Dec humidity = 79
| year humidity = 
| Jan sun = 142.0
| Feb sun = 146.0
| Mar sun = 194.0
| Apr sun = 206.0
| May sun = 273.0
| Jun sun = 293.0
| Jul sun = 356.0
| Aug sun = 339.0
| Sep sun = 240.0
| Oct sun = 199.0
| Nov sun = 153.0
| Dec sun = 146.0
| source 1 = [[Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera|Instituto de Meteorologia]]<ref name=ipma>{{cite web|url =https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_91-20_PORTALEGRE.pdf|title=Climate Normals - Portalegre 1991-2020|publisher=Portuguese Institute of Meteorology|access-date = 24 May 2025}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (1961-1990 sunshine hours)<ref name = noaa>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-VI/PO/08571.TXT
| server = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
| title = Portalegre (08571) - WMO Weather Station (1961-1990)
| access-date = October 9, 2020
}}</ref> Nisa Municipality (Humidity)<ref>{{cite web |title=Plano Municipal da Defesa da Floresta Contra Incêndios (Portalegre Station) |url=https://www.cm-nisa.pt/images/documentos/areas_atividade/ordenamento/pdm/2015/estudos_complementares/pmdfci_1.pdf |publisher=Nisa Municipality |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref>
| source = 
}}

===Parishes===
The municipality is composed of 7 parishes:<ref>{{cite web|title=Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 98-99|url=http://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/2013/01/01901/0000200147.pdf |access-date=9 July 2014|author=Diário da República|author-link=Diário da República|language=pt}}</ref>

* Alagoa
* Alegrete
* [[Ribeira de Nisa e Carreiras]]
* Fortios
* Reguengo e São Julião
* Sé e São Lourenço
* Urra

==Other features==
{{Unsourced|section|date=October 2021}}
The house-museum of [[José Régio]], a famous Portuguese poet, was installed in his home, in which he lived for 34 years. When Régio was accepted at the high school of Mouzinho da Silveira, in Portalegre, this place was a hostel. It was previously an annex of the convent of S. Brás, of which there are still some vestiges, namely the chapel. It served as a headquarters when the peninsular wars were fought, but it was later named ''Pensão 21''.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

Régio rented a humble room and, as he needed more space (he collected several works of art, amongst which more than 400 representations of Christ), he would rent more space. So, as time went by, he finally became the only inhabitant of the hostel.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

In 1965, he sold his collection to the municipality of Portalegre with the condition of it buying his house, restore it and transform it into a museum. He lived there until he died, in 1969. The museum was opened to public in 1971.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

== Town twinning ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|PRT}} [[Vila do Conde]], Portugal, 1994<ref name="anmp" />
* {{flagicon|CPV}} [[São Vicente, Cape Verde|São Vicente]], Cape Verde, 1997<ref name="anmp" />
* {{flagicon|MAR}} [[Salé]], Morocco, 1997<ref name="anmp" />
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Rio Grande do Norte]], Brazil, 2005<ref name="anmp" />
* {{flagicon|SPA}} [[Cáceres, Spain|Cáceres]], Spain, 2005<ref name="anmp">{{cite web |title=Geminações de Cidades e Vilas |url=https://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M7300 |website=www.anmp.pt |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
[[File:General Jorge Avilez.jpg|thumb|140px|General Jorge Avilez]]
* [[Cristóvão Falcão]] (ca.1512– ca.1557) a poet, from a noble family in Portalegre.<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle= Falcão, Christovão de Sousa | volume= 10 | pages = 137&ndash;138 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Jorge de Avilez Zuzarte de Sousa Tavares]] (1785–1845) a military officer and statesman.
* [[Beatriz Rente]] (1858 in Sé – 1907) a Portuguese theatre actor.
* [[José Régio]] (1901–1969) a Portuguese writer, lived in Portalegre from 1929 to 1962
* [[Carlos Canário]] (1918-1990) a footballer with 197 club caps and 10 for [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] 
* [[Lucília do Carmo]] (1919–1998) a famous Portuguese ''[[fadista]]'' (fado singer) 
* [[Joaquim Miranda]] (1950–2006) a Portuguese economist, politician and [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]].
* [[João Luís Carrilho da Graça]] (born 1952) a Portuguese architect and lecturer. 
* [[Rui Cardoso Martins]] (born 1967) a Portuguese writer.
* [[Miguel Praia]] (born 1978) a retired Portuguese motorcycle racer.

==See also==
{{portal|Portugal}}
*[[Portalegre DOC]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Portalegre}}
*[http://www.cm-portalegre.pt/ Municipality official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130330040305/http://pormenores.pt/ Pormenores Magazine Homepage]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72057594049426603/ Photos from Portalegre]

{{Municipalities of Portalegre}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Portalegre, Portugal| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Portalegre District]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Portalegre District]]