Monforte (Portugal)
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Monforte is a small town ( Vila ) and a circle ( concelho ) in Portugal with 3351 inhabitants (as at 30 June 2011).
History
A variety finds indicate a prehistoric settlement, especially since the Neolithic period. The Romans settled here and fortified the place. From the period after the invasion of Germanic tribes from the 5th century and the conquest of the area by the Arabs from the early 8th century, not much is known about the place.
After an initial conquest by King D.Afonso Henriques in 1139 conquered king D.Afonso III. Monforte 1257 final of the Moors and gave the place first city rights. King D.Dinis left, presumably in 1309 to build the castle of Monforte on existing here fort remains.
In the 1383 revolution Monforte stood Castilian side and withstood a siege by the Nuno Álvares Pereira by withdrawing. The town suffered but not be harmed by his attitude after the victory of the revolution and of thus secured Portuguese independence, and Monforte retained his rights as Vila. King D.Manuel I. renewed the city rights in 1512 as part of its administrative reform.
In the Restoration War (1640-1668) the city of the King of Portugal once again independent, D.João paid IV, with reinforced fixings. Spanish troops succeeded in 1662 but the conquest of the city, it suffered some damage. Monforte consequently lost in importance. The independent group of Monforte was dissolved in 1895 and affiliated Arronches, but was independent again in 1898. After they had been in 1889 demolished some houses in the village in favor of enlarged spaces, the city experienced in the years 1913-1928 more transformations. This was due to the expropriation of ecclesiastical goods after the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, which were then sold to private and municipal owners. This larger roads were built, including one among others the city walls set off.
Culture and sights
The Villa Romana Lusitano de Torre de Palma, the excavation of a Roman villa, considered the largest in the Iberian peninsula. From Roman times, also comes a bridge. Other archeological sites in the district are a number Antas and other prehistoric tombs. Among the architectural monuments of the city include, inter alia, various religious buildings, historic homes and public buildings, the bullring, the medieval Castelo de Monforte, and the characteristic clock tower Torre do relógio de Monforte from the 16th century.
The historic center of the city as a whole is also a listed building.
In the former church Igreja de Santa Maria Madalena, the City Museum is housed in the particular photographs and sacral exhibits from the history of the circle can be seen.
Management
Circle
Monforte is the administrative seat of the homonymous district. The neighboring districts are (clockwise starting from the north ): Crato, Portalegre, Arronches, Elvas, Borba, Estremoz, fronteira and Alter do Chao.
The following municipalities ( Freguesias ) lying in circle Monforte:
- Assumar
- Monforte
- Santo Aleixo
- Vaiamonte
Demographics
Local holiday
- Easter Monday
Twinning
- Spain: Lácara, community Montijo, Badajoz Province
- Spain: Ribera del Tajo de las Mancomunidad, community Alcarria, Guadalajara
Sons and daughters of the town
- António Sardinha (1887-1925), writer and politician
- José Carlos Malato (born 1964 ), TV presenter