Miranda do Douro
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| Location | ||||||
| - Country | Portugal | |||||
| - Region | Norte | |||||
| - Subregion | Alto Trás-os-Montes | |||||
| - District or A.R. | Bragança | |||||
| Mayor | Manuel Martins | |||||
| - Party | PSD | |||||
| Area | 487.2 km² | |||||
| Population | ||||||
| - Total | 7,707 | |||||
| - Density | 16/km² | |||||
| No. of parishes | 17 | |||||
| Coordinates | 41º30'N 6º16'W | |||||
| Municipal holiday | July 10 |
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| Website: http://www.cm-mdouro.pt | ||||||
Miranda do Douro (pron. IPA: [mi'ɾɐ̃dɐ du 'do(ou)ɾu]), Miranda de l Douro (pron. IPA: [mi'rɐ̃dɐ dɨɫ 'dɐwru]) in Mirandese language, is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 488.0 km² and a total population of 7,797 inhabitants.
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[edit] General info
The municipality is composed of 17 parishes, and is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the district of Bragança.
The present mayor is Manuel Rodrigo Martins (Social Democrat) and the president of the Municipal Assembly is Domingos Duarte Lima (Social Democrat). The municipal holiday is July 10.
The river is one of the main attractions of this small city. There are organized trips to watch the wildlife, mostly birds of prey. Important hydro-electrical stations exist in the municipality.
[edit] History
The city is located on the border with Spain, with the Douro River separating the two countries. The nearest town in Spain is Zamora, site of the Treaty of Zamora (1143) between the Portuguese king Afonso I and the Leonese-Castilian king Alfonso VII. This marked the recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Portugal, proclaimed in 1139.
[edit] Culture
The city has been isolated from the rest of the country for many centuries, so the ancestral way of life is still vivid in the traditions and even in the language (see below). Apart from the distance, the weather conditions are also an adversary, as it is very cold and snowy in winter, and very dry and hot in summer.
Gastronomy is one of the local hallmarks, well within the tradition of Trás-os Montes. "Posta à Mirandesa", a heavy, thick steak, is the traditional dish, known and imitated through the rest of the country. The wine from the region has a high alcoholic graduation (17-18º) and matches the regional cuisine well.
The city's old quarter, with the cathedral, dates back to the Middle Ages. Most houses are small and one story high. Inside the old city proper lie the town hall and museum, the "Museu da Terra de Miranda" (museum of the lands of Miranda), which has displays of archaeological findings, farm life, local clothing, and traditional masks.
The city has no industries but depends on commercial activity, mainly the sale of house textiles and cutlery from the village of Palaçoulo. Spaniards come in great number on holidays and weekends. There are several hotels, among them the Pousada de Santa Catarina, which looks over the Douro River.
[edit] Mirandese language
The surrounding area is home to the speakers of Mirandese (Mirandês), a language related to Astur-Leonese, that was recognized in 1999 by the Portuguese state as co-official with Portuguese language for local matters.
[edit] Parishes
- Águas Vivas (Augas Bibas in Mirandese)
- Atenor (Atanor in Mirandese)
- Cicouro (Cicuiro in Mirandese)
- Constantim (Custantin in Mirandese)
- Duas Igrejas (Dues Eigreijas in Mirandese)
- Genísio (Zenízio in Mirandese)
- Ifanes (Anfainç in Mirandese)
- Malhadas
- Miranda do Douro (Miranda de l Douro in Mirandese)
- Palaçoulo (Palaçuolo in Mirandese)
- Paradela
- Picote (Picuote in Mirandese)
- Póvoa (Pruoba in Mirandese)
- São Martinho de Angueira (San Martino in Mirandese)
- Sendim (Sendin in Mirandese)
- Silva (Silba in Mirandese)
- Vila Chã de Braciosa (Bila Chana de Barceosa in Mirandese)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- City government official website
- Photos from Miranda do Douro
- Pauliteiros de Miranda Mirandese culture (in Portuguese)
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| Alfândega da Fé | Bragança | Carrazeda de Ansiães | Freixo de Espada à Cinta | Macedo de Cavaleiros Miranda do Douro | Mirandela | Mogadouro | Torre de Moncorvo | Vila Flor | Vimioso | Vinhais |
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