| Torres Novas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Location in Portugal | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Portugal | ||
| Region | Centro | ||
| Subregion | Médio Tejo | ||
| District/A.R. | Santarém | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | António Rodrigues (PS) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 270.0 km2 (104.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population | |||
| • Total | 37,155 | ||
| • Density | 138/km2 (357.4/sq mi) | ||
| Parishes (no.) | 17 | ||
| Municipal holiday | Ascension Day |
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| Website | http://www.cm-torresnovas.pt | ||
Torres Novas (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtoʁɨʒ ˈnɔvɐʃ]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 270.0 km² and a total population of 37,155 inhabitants.
The municipality is composed of 17 parishes, and is located in the district of Santarém. The city of Torres Novas has about 15,000 inhabitants. This city has a castle. The seat of the municipality (town hall/"camara municipal") is in the city, which includes four parishes ("freguesias") in the urban area.
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Little is known about the history of Torres Novas prior to the conquest of the city from the Arabs in 1148 by Don Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. It is assumed that several peoples called the area home, including the Greeks, Romans, Celts and Arabs. The Roman presence is well established based on the ruins at Vila Cardílio.[1]
The castle, which had fallen into ruin, was rebuilt in 1190 by Sancho I. The castle was further rebuilt by Ferdinand I in 1376. The city grew up directly around the castle.[1]
The city was surrounded by walls until the 16th century when it began to expand beyond its historical boundaries. The original walls were demolished during the 19th century.[1]
Renova – Fábrica de Papel do Almonda, SA, a well known paper company, is based in the municipality, as well as the Companhia de Torres Novas, a textiles company.
The present mayor is António Oliveira Rodrigues, elected by the Socialist Party.
In March 2007, Torres Novas fraternized with Moreni, a city located in Dâmboviţa County, Romania.[2]
The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.
Entroncamento, Tomar, Abrantes, Ourém and Fátima, all in the Middle Tagus"Médio Tejo"subregion.
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