Vila Nova de Milfontes

Vila Nova de Milfontes
Parish

The Mira River flows into sea at Vila Nova de Milfontes

Coat of arms
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Coordinates: 37°43′30″N 8°46′52″W / 37.725°N 8.781°W / 37.725; -8.781Coordinates: 37°43′30″N 8°46′52″W / 37.725°N 8.781°W / 37.725; -8.781
Country Portugal
Region Alentejo
Subregion Alentejo Litoral
Intermunic. comm. Alentejo Litoral
District Beja
Municipality Odemira
Area
  Total 76.48 km2 (29.53 sq mi)
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)
  Total 5,031
  Density 66/km2 (170/sq mi)
Postal code 7645
Area code 283
Website http://www.jf-vnmilfontes.pt/

Vila Nova de Milfontes is a civil parish in the municipality of Odemira of the Portuguese Alentejo region. The population in 2011 was 5,031,[1] in an area of 76.48 km².[2]

History

One of the older parishes in the municipality, it was founded in 1485 by King John II, the area was constituted to serve an economic and defensive role in the Alentejo, at the confluence of the Mira River, and benefitted from its strategic importance as a safe harbour. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor crimes; 50 years after it was established the population of the parish was little more than ten families.

The village was frequently attacked by pirates, and destroyed completely in 1590, resulting in the construction of fortress, around 1602: the Fort of São Clemente (Portuguese: Forte de São Clemente), which was constructed between 1599 and 1602 (during the reign of King Phillip II).

During the 19th century, the parish was integrated into the municipality of Odemira, during the administrative reforms of Mouzinho da Silveira.

Vila Nova do Milfontes was involved in Portuguese aviation, being one of the first points between Portugal and Macau, completed by Brito Paes (a citizen of Colos in Vila Nova de Milfontes) and Sarmento Beires. On 7 April 1924, these pilots left Campo dos Coitos, near Milfontes on their voyage to the Far East. In hommage to the aviators and their historic flight, in the Praça da Barbacã (alongside the fort), a monument was erected to mark their voyage.

Geography

The coastal beach with the main centre of Vila Nova de Milfontes in the background

Vila Nova de Milfontes is located along the western coast of Atlantic Ocean on the northern margin of the Mira River, falling within the Nature Park of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast. Vila Nova de Milfontes is dominated by a large estuary and ecosystem, dominated by the Mira River that gives shelter to several species of birds and marine life, in addition to wild boar and fox in the surrounding woods.

Beaches

There are several beaches near the urban areas that regularly attract tourists:

Economy

Along the river, the small fishing port is still maintained, provide a small source of income. In fact, the region has developed an aquaculture centre nearby in Moinho da Asneira.

Moreover, sport fishing, diving, pedestrian trails, horse trails and all-terrain sports are promoted for amateur tourists, supported by a local service economy designed on tourism. Moreover, the surrounding area offers ecological tourism, paragliding training, a small safari park and beautiful hideouts with small waterfalls. The tourist-oriented town, with only a small population, annually becomes inflated during the summer and holiday seasons, tourists attracted by the white sand beaches, clear water and landscape.

Notable citizens

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/21/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.