Vila Nova de Milfontes (Vila Nova de Milfontes)
Vila Nova de Milfontes is a town and civil parish (freguesia) in the municipality (concelho) of Odemira, in the Alentejo region in Portugal. The population in 2021 was 5,653, in an area of 76.48 km2.
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 benefited from its strategic importance as a safe harbor. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor crimes; 50 years later the population of the parish was little more than ten families.
The village was frequently attacked by pirates and was destroyed completely in 1590. Subsequently, a fortress was constructed on this site: the Fort of São Clemente (Forte de São Clemente), which was constructed between 1599 and 1602, during the reign of King Philip II.
During the 19th century, the parish was integrated into the municipality of Odemira, during the administrative reforms of Mouzinho da Silveira.
Vila Nova de Milfontes was involved in Portuguese aviation, being the starting point of the Lisbon-Macau Raid. On 7 April 1924, pilots José Manuel Sarmento de Beires and pt: António Jacinto da Silva Brito Pais left Campo dos Coitos, near Milfontes on their voyage to the Far East. In homage to the aviators and their historic flight, in the Barbacã Square (alongside the fort), a monument was erected to mark their voyage.
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 benefited from its strategic importance as a safe harbor. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor crimes; 50 years later the population of the parish was little more than ten families.
The village was frequently attacked by pirates and was destroyed completely in 1590. Subsequently, a fortress was constructed on this site: the Fort of São Clemente (Forte de São Clemente), which was constructed between 1599 and 1602, during the reign of King Philip II.
During the 19th century, the parish was integrated into the municipality of Odemira, during the administrative reforms of Mouzinho da Silveira.
Vila Nova de Milfontes was involved in Portuguese aviation, being the starting point of the Lisbon-Macau Raid. On 7 April 1924, pilots José Manuel Sarmento de Beires and pt: António Jacinto da Silva Brito Pais left Campo dos Coitos, near Milfontes on their voyage to the Far East. In homage to the aviators and their historic flight, in the Barbacã Square (alongside the fort), a monument was erected to mark their voyage.
Map - Vila Nova de Milfontes (Vila Nova de Milfontes)
Map
Country - Portugal
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| Flag of Portugal | |
One of the oldest countries in Europe, its territory has been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times. The territory was first inhabited by pre-Roman and Celtic peoples who had contact with Phoenicians, ancient Greeks and Carthaginians. It was later ruled by the Romans, followed by the invasions of Germanic peoples and the Islamic invasion by the Moors, whose rule was eventually expelled during the Reconquista. Founded first as a county of the Kingdom of León in 868, gained its independence as the Kingdom of Portugal with the Treaty of Zamora in 1143.
Currency / Language
| ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR | Euro | € | 2 |
| ISO | Language |
|---|---|
| PT | Portuguese language |