Arouca Municipality
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Arouca is a Vila ( town ) and a circle ( concelho ) in Portugal with 3195 inhabitants (as at 30 June 2011).
History
The area was already inhabited before the arrival of the Romans, but no remains have been of greater importance. Even during times of the Roman occupation the area was inhabited, but insignificant, which show the few finds. The following Germanic tribes, mainly the Suevi, leaving only etymological heritage in various place names in a circle, about Sá, Saril, Alvarenga, Burgo, Escariz, Friães or Melareses. The records of the Moors from Arouca report that almost all Christians had fled from the area in more remote, more sheltered places.
Only with the monastery in the 10th century won Arouca important. His first city rights ( Foral ) was the place to get 1151 of Portugal's first king, D. Afonso Henriques. Following the recent 1217-1220 collection of Mafalda, daughter of the second Portuguese King Sancho I ( 1154-1211 ), flourished at the convent, and with him the place. Even after the death of Mafalda in 1256 the monastery was wealthy thanks to their legacies. 1792 Mafalda was beatified in 1793 and her remains transferred to the monastery Arouca.
King Manuel I in 1513 had renewed the city rights of the place. The circle Arouca won by incorporations ever in size, especially by the numerous incorporations in the course of administrative reform by the Liberal Revolution 1822.
Attractions, sports and culture
Among its numerous monuments can be found, along with some historic public buildings, especially religious buildings, including the monastery was built in the 10th century Mosteiro de Arouca and the parish church Igreja de Paroquial Arouca (also Igreja de São Bartolomeu ). In the monastery the museum Museu de Arte Sacra de Arouca is housed, is shown in the sacred art, books, paintings and sculptures to ceramics and jewelry.
The Estádio Municipal de Arouca is a football stadium and part of a sports field in the Vale da Vila de Arouca. It was inaugurated in 2006 and offers 2500 spectators. It serves the local FC Arouca to host its home games in the Premier League.
Numerous rivers run through the county, where some river swimming ( Portuguese: praia fluvial ) are created. Also the waterfall Frecha as Mizarela is here. In Geoparque Arouca, which extends over the entire circle 13 marked hiking trails and nature trails are created, which run past the very large trilobites and other fossils and rock formations.
Since 2003 is here hosts the International Short Film Festival aroucafilmfestival instead.
Management
Circle
Arouca is the seat of the homonymous district. The neighboring districts are (clockwise starting from the north ): Castelo de Paiva, Cinfães, Castro Daire, São Pedro do Sul, Vale de Cambra, Oliveira de Azeméis, Santa Maria da Feira and Gondomar.
The following parishes ( freguesias ) lying in circle Arouca:
- Albergaria da Serra
- Alvarenga
- Arouca
- Burgo
- Cabreiros
- CANELAS
- Chave
- Covelo de Paivó
- Escariz
- Espiunca
- Fermedo
- Janarde
- Mansores
- Moldes
- Rossa
- Santa Eulalia
- São Miguel do Mato
- Tropeço
- Urrô
- Várzea