Azinhaga
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Azinhaga is a Portuguese parish ( freguesia ) in a circle ( concelho ) Golegã, in Ribatejo.
Geography
The village lies on the Rio Almonda, in the lush green flat areas around the Rio Tejo.
History
Azinhaga was probably founded in Moorish times, its name in Arabic means something like " narrow way " or " narrow passage ". His city rights ( " Foral " ) was the site of King Sancho II the early 13th century. Especially in the time of the king's Prime Minister Marquês de Pombal (1699-1782), many of the tributaries and side arms of the Tagus were diverted and the area of Azinhaga drained, so that the reason for the Arabic naming was omitted and Azinhaga part of today's wide, for agriculture, cattle and horse breeding area was appropriate. By withdrawing troops of the French invasion army caused the early 19th century considerable damage. Since 1895 Azinhaga part of the then newly created circuit ( concelho ) Golegã, and no longer to concelho of Santarém, to which it always was before.
Culture and sights
In the resort was opened in the presence of Saramago the Casa Museu José Saramago 2008, a museum of the most famous son of the town and Nobel laureate in 1998. Few facilities of its Foundation ( Fundação José Saramago ) are also housed there.
The three-nave church Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição dates from the 17th century, some azulejos from the time are still to be seen in it. Through the French invasion troops under Marshal André Masséna in winter 1810/1811 severely damaged her reconstruction was only completed in 1882. She was doing a non -existent before the church tower.
Several old mansions are in the territory of the municipality. In a private resort for riding holiday is out.
The wetlands Paul do Boquilobo has been recognized since 1981 by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
In May, the annual town festival takes place. With parallels in origin and orientation to Festa dos Tabuleiros in the near Tomar, also takes place every four years, the Festa do Bodo here. It is an original purely religious procession, which also includes over several days various events, from music to food and cabaret to exhibitions and folklore dances. After 2007 and 2011, the next Festa do Bobo takes place in 2015.
Economy
The town lives mainly from agriculture. Horse breeding also has significance, especially the Lusitano horse. Just as the local cattle ( bulls ) and the horse breeding is here, as is generally connected in Ribatejo with the Portuguese bullfight.
Sons and daughters
- José Saramago (1922-2010) writer, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998
- Augusto do Souto Barreiros (1922-2012) writer and playwright
- Francisco Serrão († 1521) Seafarers
Traffic
Railway
Azinhaga is 4 km across the county road from Mato de Miranda, a stopping point for the Linha do Norte.
Highway
The place is along the national road N365 to the A23, 15 km away ( driveways Entroncamento and Atalaia ) and connected via each about 20 km away driveways Santarem and Torres Novas to the A1.