Vila Franca de Xira

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Vila Franca de Xira

[[Image:{{{image_flag}}}|140px|Flag of Vila Franca de Xira]]

Municipal flag

Municipal coat of arms

Location

- Country

- Region

- Subregion

- District or A.R.

Mayor

Maria Luz Rosinha

- Party

Area

317.7 km²

Population

- Total

133,224

- Density

419/km²

No. of parishes

Coordinates

38º57'N 8º59'W

Municipal holiday

Ascension Day
date varies

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

Vila Franca de Xira (pron. IPA: ['vilɐ 'fɾɐ̃kɐ dɨ 'ʃiɾɐ]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 317.7 km² and a total population of 133,224 inhabitants. Situated on the west bank of the River Tagus, just 32 km north-east of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira is said to have been founded by French followers of Afonso Henriques around 1200.

The town is mostly famous for its bull-running festivals in July and October. Bulls are raised in the salty marshlands of the Ribatejo, which is also a notable breeding ground for the magnificent Lusitano horse, esteemed for its quick reflexes and maneuverability.

What to see. A number of brightly-coloured Portuguese bullfighting costumes are on display in the ethnographic museum on Praça de Touros. Nearby, the town's Misericórdia church features striking 18th-century azulejo glazed tiles.

Nearby. 3 km south of Vila Franca de Xira lies the Lezíria Grande Equestrian Centre, where visitors can watch stylish displays of the impressive Lusitano horses. The centre also stages typical bullfighting spectacles in its outdoor bullring. Visitors can ride Lusitano horses and take dressage lessons at the Quinta de São Sebastião, a sprawling estate at Arruda dos Vinhos, 11 km west of Vila Franca de Xira.

The municipality is composed of 11 parishes, and is located in the District of Lisbon.

The present Mayor is Maria Luz Rosinha, elected by the Socialist Party.