Lamego

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Lamego [[Image:{{{image_flag}}}|140px|Flag of Lamego]] Municipal flag Municipal coat of arms
Location
- Country	Portugal
- Region	Norte
- Subregion	Douro
- District or A.R.	Viseu
Mayor	Francisco Lopes
- Party	PSD-CDS
Area	165.4 km²
Population
- Total	27,054
- Density	164/km²
No. of parishes	24
Coordinates	41º05'N 7º52'W
Municipal holiday	September 8
Website: http://www.cm-lamego.pt

Lamego (pron. IPA: [lɐ'megu]) is a municipality in Portugal. It has a population of about 27,054 inhabitants.

The present Mayor is Francisco Manuel Lopes, elected by a coalition between the Social Democratic Party and the People's Party.

The municipal holiday is September 8.

It is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Lamego.

[edit] Parishes

• Almacave (Lamego)
• Avões
• Bigorne
• Britiande
• Cambres
• Cepões
• Ferreirim
• Ferreiros de Avões
• Figueira
• Lalim
• Lazarim
• Magueija
• Meijinhos
• Melcões
• Parada do Bispo
• Penajóia
• Penude
• Pretarouca
• Samodães
• Sande
• Sé (Lamego)
• Valdigem
• Várzea de Abrunhais
• Vila Nova de Souto d'El-Rei

[edit] History

The most significant moment in the town's history was in 1143, when nobles declared Afonso Henriques to be Portugal's first king. The town's Gothic cathedral was built by him, although only the Romanesque tower is left from the original building, with its carved Renaissance portal and fine cloister dating from the 16th and 18th centuries. The 12th century castle preserves a fine keep and a very old and unusual cistern with monograms of master masons.

Just outside the town, within walking distance from the back of the cathedral, is the tiny 7th century São Pedro de Balsemão Chapel, a lovely Visigothic chapel believed to be the oldest in Portugal and second oldest in Europe.

[edit] External links

• Municipality official website
• Photos from Lamego