Bragança, Portugal: Difference between revisions
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The origin of the city of Bragança dates from the 10th or 11th century, and likely developed from a Romanized castro, although archaeological evidence is still under-discovered.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The strategic importance of Bragança, to military control of access, resulted from its localization and was reinforced by administrative instituions established by the King.<ref name=CMHistoria/> [[Sancho of Portugal|Sancho]] signed a [[foral]] in June 1187, which was renovated by King [[Afonso III of Portugal|Afonso III]], in May 1253, and later by [[Manuel of Portugal|Manuel I]] on 11 November 1514.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The foral demonstrated specifically the importance of the city, which was the first in the Trás-os-Montes to receive the title of ''town''.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The privileges that were conceeded to the nascent Portuguese population by various monarchs outlines the geographic importance of attracting settlement to the northern frontier: [[Afonso III of Portugal|Afonso III]] created an annual fair in 1272 and [[Ferdinand of Portugal|Fernando]] establishes a free-trade fair in 1383, which was renovated or reformulated by successive monarchs ([[John I of Portugal|John I]] in 1392 and 1413, the [[Peter of Coimbra|Regent Peter]] in 1439 and [[Afonso V of Portugal|Afonso V]] in 1455). This initiatives, although tempered by cyclical migration and epidemics, permitted the concentration of settlers in the northern community. |
The origin of the city of Bragança dates from the 10th or 11th century, and likely developed from a Romanized castro, although archaeological evidence is still under-discovered.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The strategic importance of Bragança, to military control of access, resulted from its localization and was reinforced by administrative instituions established by the King.<ref name=CMHistoria/> [[Sancho of Portugal|Sancho]] signed a [[foral]] in June 1187, which was renovated by King [[Afonso III of Portugal|Afonso III]], in May 1253, and later by [[Manuel of Portugal|Manuel I]] on 11 November 1514.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The foral demonstrated specifically the importance of the city, which was the first in the Trás-os-Montes to receive the title of ''town''.<ref name=CMHistoria/> The privileges that were conceeded to the nascent Portuguese population by various monarchs outlines the geographic importance of attracting settlement to the northern frontier: [[Afonso III of Portugal|Afonso III]] created an annual fair in 1272 and [[Ferdinand of Portugal|Fernando]] establishes a free-trade fair in 1383, which was renovated or reformulated by successive monarchs ([[John I of Portugal|John I]] in 1392 and 1413, the [[Peter of Coimbra|Regent Peter]] in 1439 and [[Afonso V of Portugal|Afonso V]] in 1455). This initiatives, although tempered by cyclical migration and epidemics, permitted the concentration of settlers in the northern community. |
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By the middle of the 13th century, Bragança was divided into four parishes: Santa Maria (then the main town), São Tiago, São João (outside the castle walls) and São Vicente. The lands remained in the hands of the Crown until the reign of [[Ferdinand of Portugal]], when they were offered as a dowery to João Monso Pimentel on his marriage to Joana Teles de Menezes, the illegitmate daughter of Queen [[Leonor Telles de Menezes]].<ref name=CMHistoria/> Until after 1401, Bragança became a dukedom and elevated to the status of a Royal House ([[House of Braganza]]), and donate by the [[Peter of Coimbra|Regent Peter]] to [[Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza|Afonso]], 7th [[Count of Barcelos]] (and illegitmate son of [[John I of Portugal|John I]]).<ref name=CMHistoria/> The second Duke of Braganza, [[Fernando I, 2nd Duke of Braganza|Fernando]], on 20 February 1464 helped elevate the settlement to the status of city. Yet, as the result of conspiracies against [[John II of Portugal|John II]] it reverted to the Crown, to be later reinstated in 1496 by King [[Manuel I of Portugal]], before reverting to the Crown after its last title-holder [[John IV of Portugal|John IV]] annexed it to the Crown, during the reign of [[Afonso VI of Portugal|Afonso VI]].<ref name=CMHistoria/> |
By the middle of the 13th century, Bragança was divided into four parishes: Santa Maria (then the main town), São Tiago, São João (outside the castle walls) and São Vicente. The lands remained in the hands of the Crown until the reign of [[Ferdinand of Portugal]], when they were offered as a dowery to João Monso Pimentel on his marriage to Joana Teles de Menezes, the illegitmate daughter of Queen [[Leonor Telles de Menezes]].<ref name=CMHistoria/> Until after 1401, Bragança became a dukedom and elevated to the status of a Royal House ([[House of Braganza]]), and donate by the [[Peter of Coimbra|Regent Peter]] to [[Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza|Afonso]], 7th [[Count of Barcelos]] (and illegitmate son of [[John I of Portugal|John I]]).<ref name=CMHistoria/> The second Duke of Braganza, [[Fernando I, 2nd Duke of Braganza|Fernando]], on 20 February 1464 helped elevate the settlement to the status of city. Yet, as the result of conspiracies against [[John II of Portugal|John II]] it reverted to the Crown, to be later reinstated in 1496 by King [[Manuel I of Portugal]], before reverting to the Crown after its last title-holder [[John IV of Portugal|John IV]] annexed it to the Crown, during the reign of [[Afonso VI of Portugal|Afonso VI]].<ref name=CMHistoria/> |
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In the 14th and 15th century, growth outside the city of Bragança developed, and in the proceeding centuries there were major renovations and remodelling to the churches, convents and noble estates within the municipality.<ref name=CMHistoria/> Many of street names from Bragança also show a rapid industrialization and commercialization in the community, with the appearances of street names such as ''Rua dos Prateiros'' (silver-smiths), ''Rua dos Sineiros'' (bell-makers), ''Rua dos Oleiros'' (oil fabricators), ''Rua da Alfândega'' (customshouse), ''Ponte das Tenarias'' (tanners), ''Ponte das Ferrarias'' (blacksmiths), that directed their exports to the regional market.<ref name=CMHistoria/> This dynamic environment was facilitated by Jews who escaped the [[Inquisition]] in Castile during the 15th century, and who stimulated the commercial, artisanal and cereal markets in the region.<ref name=CMHistoria/> |
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Historically the city has been important as the seat of the [[House of Bragança]], which provided the [[kings of Portugal]] from 1640 to 1910 and the [[emperors of Brazil]] from 1822 to 1889; their feudal castle (built 1187) still remains. [[Catherine of Braganza|Catherine of Bragança]] became the queen consort (1662) of [[Charles II of England]]. An episcopal see, Bragança was the capital of the historical [[Trás-os-Montes Province|Trás-os-Montes]] province. |
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But by the 18th century there contrasts, marked by several crises and failures associated with tentative industrialization. Problems with agriculture in the beginning of the 1800s would also occur just when industrialists began abandoning the city of Bragança.<ref name=CMHistoria/> Since then, the economy of the region has wavered through boom-and-bust cycles, stimulated by some national initiatives.<ref name=CMHistoria/> |
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Since 1640, the city has been important as the seat of the [[House of Braganza]], responsible for providing Portugal its [[Kings of Portugal|Kings]] (from 1640 to 1910) and the [[Emperors of Brazil|Emperorers]](from 1822 to 1889); their feudal castle (built 1187) still remains. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Revision as of 10:23, 3 May 2011
Template:Geobox Bragança (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾɐˈɡɐ̃sɐ] or, locally, [bɾɐˈɡãsɐ]; Template:Lang-en; Template:Lang-mwl) is a city and municipality in north-eastern Portugal, capital of district of Bragança, in Alto Trás-os-Montes subregion of Portugal. In 2001, the population of the municipality was 34,774, in an area of 1173.57 km².
History
Archeological evidence permits a determination of human settlement in this region to the Paleolithic.[1] During the Neolithic there was a growth of productive human settlements which concentrated on planting and domestication of animals, with the beginnings of a nascent religion. There are many vestiges of these ancient communities, including ceramics, agricultural implements, weights, arrowheads and modest jewellry, all forged from rock.[1] Many of these artefacts were found in funerary mounds, such as the tumulus of Donai (mostly destroyed). There are many signs of megalthic constructions dotted throughtout the region.[1] It is believed that the larger proto-historic communities developed in Terra Fria, probably in the final part of the Bronze Age (1000-700 B.C.). During this period, the Castro culture of fortified urban structures resulted in walled settlements, situated in elevated areas with a panoramic view, for defense. These communities were essentially survived on subsistence agriculture.[1]
Roman colonization, which occurred late in the Roman era, resulted in the establishment of private property and movement away from the forests, in addition to organizational changes resulting administrative, material and cultural evolution.Remants of the Luso-Roman castro societies are evident in Castro of Sacóias and the Castro of Avelãs.[1] In these excavations, modern archaeologists have discovered funerary remains, coins and implements. The Castro of Avelãs (about three kilometres from Bragança) was an important centre on the military road to Astorga, although there are many examples (in Alfaião, Aveleda, Carrazedo, Castro de Avelãs, Donai, França, Gostei, Meixedo, Pinela, Quintela Lampaças, etc.) of the Roman presence. The area was dominated by two ethnic communities: the Zoelae, with their seat in Castro de Avelãs, and a Lusitanian civitas under the stewardship of the Baniense in the southern part of the district.[1] A Latin map, Atlas de Gotha by Justus Perthes, mentioned three settlements within this region: Aquae Flaviae (Chaves), Veniatia (Vinhais) and Zoelae (its seat in Zoelas, today Castro de Avelãs), without mentioning any reference to a name similar to Bragança.[1] During Roman colonization, it was part of Gallaecia and dependent administratively on Astorga. The references to a settlement with the name similar to Bragança occurred in the acts of Council Lugo (569 A.D.) regarding the Vergancia. A similar reference by Wamba (666 B.C.) refered to Bregancia.
Records during the proto-Germanic Suebic Kingdom and Visigothic rule are rare, but tend to presuppose an advancement of rural agrarian and pastoral communities during their occupation. Toponomic references such as Gimonde, Guadramil and Samil are the few remains from this period.[1]
Medieval
Although place names still remain (such as Alfaião, Babe, Baçal, Bagueixe, Mogadouro, among others) the influence of the Islamic civilization to the northern regions and Douro, as well as mountainous enclaves, such as Bragança, has been little.[1] Owing to the Reconquista, the region was quickly integrated into the Kingdom of Asturias (later León after the 10th century), and the economy, ecclesiastical organization, architecture, culture and language was heavily influenced by the same.[1] During the 11th and 12th century, in the books of geneology, the Bragançãos family of Castro de Avelãs (at the time the seat of the Benedictine monastary) dominated the area of Bragança (its abbot Mendo originated the hereditary line).[1] Legend holds that Fernão Mendes (a Braganção) presumably kidnapped, then married, Sancha, daughter of Afonso Henriques and Teresa, obtaining with his dead the important defense of the region. Yet, consequently, the region of Bragança would become a property of the Crown as no heir would develop from their union.[1] The Bragançãos contributed to the foundation of the settlement, and its importance would remain integral to the defense of the country, owing to the geopolitical position in the northwest frontier with the Spanish Kingdoms.[1]
The origin of the city of Bragança dates from the 10th or 11th century, and likely developed from a Romanized castro, although archaeological evidence is still under-discovered.[1] The strategic importance of Bragança, to military control of access, resulted from its localization and was reinforced by administrative instituions established by the King.[1] Sancho signed a foral in June 1187, which was renovated by King Afonso III, in May 1253, and later by Manuel I on 11 November 1514.[1] The foral demonstrated specifically the importance of the city, which was the first in the Trás-os-Montes to receive the title of town.[1] The privileges that were conceeded to the nascent Portuguese population by various monarchs outlines the geographic importance of attracting settlement to the northern frontier: Afonso III created an annual fair in 1272 and Fernando establishes a free-trade fair in 1383, which was renovated or reformulated by successive monarchs (John I in 1392 and 1413, the Regent Peter in 1439 and Afonso V in 1455). This initiatives, although tempered by cyclical migration and epidemics, permitted the concentration of settlers in the northern community.
Monarchy
By the middle of the 13th century, Bragança was divided into four parishes: Santa Maria (then the main town), São Tiago, São João (outside the castle walls) and São Vicente. The lands remained in the hands of the Crown until the reign of Ferdinand of Portugal, when they were offered as a dowery to João Monso Pimentel on his marriage to Joana Teles de Menezes, the illegitmate daughter of Queen Leonor Telles de Menezes.[1] Until after 1401, Bragança became a dukedom and elevated to the status of a Royal House (House of Braganza), and donate by the Regent Peter to Afonso, 7th Count of Barcelos (and illegitmate son of John I).[1] The second Duke of Braganza, Fernando, on 20 February 1464 helped elevate the settlement to the status of city. Yet, as the result of conspiracies against John II it reverted to the Crown, to be later reinstated in 1496 by King Manuel I of Portugal, before reverting to the Crown after its last title-holder John IV annexed it to the Crown, during the reign of Afonso VI.[1]
In the 14th and 15th century, growth outside the city of Bragança developed, and in the proceeding centuries there were major renovations and remodelling to the churches, convents and noble estates within the municipality.[1] Many of street names from Bragança also show a rapid industrialization and commercialization in the community, with the appearances of street names such as Rua dos Prateiros (silver-smiths), Rua dos Sineiros (bell-makers), Rua dos Oleiros (oil fabricators), Rua da Alfândega (customshouse), Ponte das Tenarias (tanners), Ponte das Ferrarias (blacksmiths), that directed their exports to the regional market.[1] This dynamic environment was facilitated by Jews who escaped the Inquisition in Castile during the 15th century, and who stimulated the commercial, artisanal and cereal markets in the region.[1]
But by the 18th century there contrasts, marked by several crises and failures associated with tentative industrialization. Problems with agriculture in the beginning of the 1800s would also occur just when industrialists began abandoning the city of Bragança.[1] Since then, the economy of the region has wavered through boom-and-bust cycles, stimulated by some national initiatives.[1]
Since 1640, the city has been important as the seat of the House of Braganza, responsible for providing Portugal its Kings (from 1640 to 1910) and the Emperorers(from 1822 to 1889); their feudal castle (built 1187) still remains.
Geography
Physical geography
Bragança lies on a branch of the Sabor River south of the Culebra Mountains, 255 km northeast of Porto, 515 km from Lisbon and 22 km from the Spanish border.
Climate
| Climate data for Bragança | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9.0 (48.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.0 (60.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
24.0 (75.2) |
29.0 (84.2) |
29.0 (84.2) |
25.0 (77.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.0 (50.0) |
9.0 (48.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0 (32) |
1.0 (33.8) |
3.0 (37.4) |
5.0 (41.0) |
8.0 (46.4) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.0 (57.2) |
14.0 (57.2) |
12.0 (53.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.0 (39.2) |
2.0 (35.6) |
0 (32) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 96 (3.8) |
75 (3.0) |
44 (1.7) |
62 (2.4) |
70 (2.8) |
39 (1.5) |
20 (0.8) |
19 (0.7) |
45 (1.8) |
85 (3.3) |
86 (3.4) |
119 (4.7) |
7.9 (0.31) |
| Source: Instituto de Meteorologia[2]. | |||||||||||||
The climate in Bragança (the northeastern most district capital Portuguese city) is influenced by the distance from the coast and the elevation. It is very similar to the continental climate of the Spanish Meseta and other European regions removed from the influence of the ocean, which means long rigorous winters (even by European standards) and short hot summers. Snow in winter is very common and can last for several days. The high in January is around 9°C while the August and July high is around 29°C. The January low hovers around the freezing point. It has been known to snow in May, and winter temperatures can fall to as low as -18°C. The annual mean is around 12°C. The mean total rainfall in a year is 689 mm. The year of 2005 was particularly dry in Portugal and Bragança suffered water shortages and devastating forest fires in the rural areas.
Human geography
Of the 18 Portuguese historical district capitals, Bragança is the farthest from Lisbon, the national capital. The seat of the municipality is the city of Bragança, which consists of two parishes (Sé, 10,129 residents, and Santa Maria, 3900 inhabitants) and has a population of approximately 14,029.[3]
Bragança pertains to an area referred to as the Terra Fria Transmontana (Cold Transmontana Lands). Within the NUTS nomenclature, Bragança is part of the Alto Trás-os-Montes subregion, along with three other municipalities. Its connection to this region are formalized within various associations, including the Associação de Municípios de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Municipal Association of Tr´s-os Montes and Alto Douro), as part of the Associação de Municípios da Terra Fria (constituted by the municipalities of Bragança, Vinhais, Vimioso and Miranda do Douro), the Associação Comercial e Industrial de Bragança (Commercial Association of Bragança), the district Núcleo Empresarial do Distrito de Bragança (Business Nucleus of the District of Bragança)), the Região de Turismo do Nordeste Transmontano (Tourist Region of Nordeste Transmontano) and the Parque Natural de Montesinho (Montesinho Natural Park). Bragança is also affiliated with the Associação do Pacto do Eixo Atlântico, along with 17 municipalities in the northwest peninsula, whose objective is to implement policy that strategically support socio-economic and socio-cultural objectives of the communities along the Portuguese-Spanish border region with Galicia. This is an important political relationship since 1999, as Bragança is of significant size to motivate economic activity in the northern portion of the Iberian Peninsula. Its peripheral place in the urban hierarchy of Portugal has contributed to the political, administrative and populational concentration of many regional and national associations, administrative delegations and regional directorates
The neighbouring municipalities are Vimioso in the southeast, Macedo de Cavaleiros in the southwest and Vinhais in the west.
It is administratively divided into 49 civil parishes, of which included are:
International relations
The municipality of Bragança is twinned with:
Zamora, Castile and León, Spain (1984)[4];- León, Castile and León, Spain.[5]
Economy
Economically the region still produces olive oil, grains, chestnuts and livestock, especially sheep. In recent years agriculture has suffered a decline with the abandonment of the villages and the aging of the rural population. In many villages there are not enough children to maintain the rural schools, which are gradually being closed by the government. Present-day Bragança is a city of services with a dependence on state-run institutions like the Polytechnical Institute of Bragança and the regional hospital for jobs.
Due to its location near the Spanish border, the city receives tourists from Zamora, León, Salamanca, Asturias and elsewhere.
Transportation
The city has a small airport: Bragança Airport (BGC), with scheduled flights to Vila Real (VRL) and Lisbon (LIS). Bragança Airport is located north of the city, near Aveleda and Montesinho Natural Park.
Bragança and Viseu are the only two Portuguese district capital cities without a rail service. The principal motorway is the estrada IP 4 connecting the cities of Bragança, Mirandela, Vila Real, Amarante, Penafiel and Oporto (Porto).
Other roads connect to the cities of Chaves, Valpaços, Macedo de Cavaleiros and Miranda do Douro (Miranda de I Douro), as well to towns nearby: Vinhais and Vimioso (Bimiouso) and the international border at Quintanilha.
Architecture
Notable landmarks in the city include the 12th-century Domus Municipalis (Portugal's oldest and largest town hall), the Renaissance cathedral, and the old town walls, which are still well preserved and look down on the river and the modern city. In the city there is a well kept museum.
Education
Bragança has a state-run technical college of higher education, the polytechnic institute Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (Polytechnical Institute of Bragança).
Religion
Bragança pertains to the Diocese of Bragança/Miranda; under the archdiocese of Braga.
Notable citizens
- Mendo Alão (c. 1000; Brittany — c. 1050) - a nobleman and medieval knight, who lived in Bragança (and friend of King Alfonso VI of León and Castile), clergy at the Monastery of São Salvador in Castro de Avelãs;
- Francisco Manuel Alves (Baçal; 9 April 1865 — Baçal, 13 November 1947) - known as the Abade de Baçal (the Abbot of Baçal), was a archeologist and historian;
- Augusto César Moreno (Lagoaça; 10 November 1870 - Porto, 2 April 1955) - teacher and linguist;
- Manuel Gonçalves Cavaleiro de Ferreira (Bragança; 19 December 1911 — Lisbon; 27 April 1992) - teacher of Law, jurist and Minister of Justice in the government of António de Oliveira Salazar, responsible for the regulation of the Habeous Corpus law and creation of many tribunals.
See also
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Câmara Municipal, ed. (2009). "Breve Panorâmica Histórica" (in Portuguese). Bragança, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Bragança. Retrieved 02 May 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Weather Information for Bragança". Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004 Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)
- ^ http://www.laopiniondezamora.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=2009012100_12_329048__Opinion-fecha-clave
- ^ http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=241326