Alenquer, Portugal

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Alenquer
Flag of Alenquer
Municipal flag
Coat of arms of Alenquer
Municipal coat of arms
Location of Alenquer
Location  
 - Country Flag of Portugal Portugal
 - Region Centro
 - Subregion Oeste
 - District or A.R. Lisbon
Mayor Álvaro Pedro
 - Party PS
Area 304.2 km²
Population
 - Total 42,932
 - Density 141/km²
No. of parishes 16
Coordinates 39º03'N 9º01'W
Municipal holiday Ascension Day
date varies
Website: http://www.cm-alenquer.pt

Alenquer (pron. IPA[ɐlẽ'kɛɾ]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 304.2 km² and a total population of 42,932 inhabitants. The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in the District of Lisbon.

The present Mayor is Álvaro Joaquim Gomes Pedro, elected by the Socialist Party.

Contents

[edit] History

The name Alenquer is said to derive from the germanic "Alen Ker" meaning the Temple of the Alans, and the city itself is, legend says, is said to have been established by the Alanian king Attaces.[1]. The Alans' dog, the Alaunt, is represented in the city's coat of arms. This is nothing but a legend, though, as there have been settlemenst in the area before Roman times[2], and these were also established there, namely in the location of Ierabriga or Lerabriga[3]. The city's castle, however, may have been established by the Alans, or maybe the Visigoths[4].

Alenquer received its Foral in 1212 by the hand of Infanta Sancha, Lady of Alenquer, daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal.

[edit] Parishes

  • Abrigada
  • Aldeia Galega da Merceana
  • Aldeia Gavinha
  • Cabanas de Torres
  • Cadafais
  • Carnota
  • Carregado
  • Meca
  • Olhalvo
  • Ota
  • Pereiro de Palhacana
  • Ribafria
  • Santo Estêvão (Alenquer)
  • Triana (Alenquer)
  • Ventosa
  • Vila Verde dos Francos

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Milhazes, José. Os antepassados caucasianos dos portugueses - Rádio e Televisão de Portugal in Portuguese.
  2. ^ Official site - History: Origins in Portuguese.
  3. ^ Official site - History: Roman period in Portuguese.
  4. ^ Official site - History: Barbarian invasions in Portuguese.

[edit] External links

Official websites:

Other websites: