Ílhavo

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Ílhavo

[[Image:{{{image_flag}}}|140px|Flag of Ílhavo]]

Municipal flag

Municipal coat of arms

Location

- Country

- Region

- Subregion

- District or A.R.

Mayor

José Esteves

- Party

PSD

Area

73.5 km²

Population

- Total

38,571

- Density

534/km²

No. of parishes

Coordinates

40º36'N 8º40'W

Municipal holiday

Easter Monday
date varies

Website: http://www.cm-ilhavo.pt

Ílhavo (pron. IPA: ['iʎɐvu]) is a municipality in Portugal, with an area of 73.5 km² and a population of 38,581. The founding of the city is uncertain; some say it was established by Greeks, but the city's coat of arms reflects the legend that it was settled by Phoenicians.

1 Parishes
2 Civic information
3 General information
4 Tourism
5 External link

[edit] Parishes

Gafanha da Encarnação
Gafanha da Nazaré
Gafanha do Carmo
Ílhavo (São Salvador)

[edit] Civic information

Ílhavo received its rights on 13 October 1296 from King Denis of Portugal and is composed of four parishes. The city lies within the District of Aveiro. On 9 August 1990 it was elevated to the rank of a city. José Agostinho Ribau Esteves of the Social Democratic Party is the Mayor. There are 28,749 people eligible to vote (2006). The municipal holiday is Easter Monday.

[edit] General information

Several stories have been gathered as part of the popular history of this city:

Traditionally, the local women - as Ilhavenses - are famed for their great beauty. It is claimed the city was founded by Greek colonists around 400 BCto whom the beauty of 'Ilhavenses' women is attributed, but others state that we have to thank Phoenician settlers for that.^{[citation needed]}

Ilhavo's national nickname is "the city of the lamp" (a cidade da lâmpada). According to legend, one Sunday during Mass, one of the most important relics of the church (an oil lamp) was stolen in front of everybody and was never found. The myth continued and the Ilhavanses became known as "the natives who were too blind to see what was right in front of them".

[edit] Tourism

Within the municipality there are two villages that are popular in the summertime: Barra, where with one of the tallest lighthouses in Portugal is situated and Costa Nova do Prado, with its typical houses (called Palheiros, from the Portuguese made of straws) and fish market. In Barra, one can find the tallest Portuguese lighthouse (62 m from the ground but 66 m above sea level). It was built between 1885 and 1893. The light can cast as far as 26 nautical miles out to sea (approx. 48 km).

The recently renovated Maritime Museum of Ilhavo is dedicated to the White Fleet fisheries and to the Ria de Aveiro fishermen. Vista Alegre, the china and porcelain company, was founded in the city, where it has its factory.

[edit] External link

Municipality official website

Municipalities of the District of Aveiro
Águeda \| Albergaria-a-Velha \| Anadia \| Arouca \| Aveiro \| Castelo de Paiva \| Espinho \| Estarreja \| Ílhavo \| Mealhada \| Murtosa Oliveira de Azeméis \| Oliveira do Bairro \| Ovar \| Santa Maria da Feira \| São João da Madeira \| Sever do Vouga \| Vagos \| Vale de Cambra