Alenquer Municipality, Portugal

Alenquer
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Location in Portugal
Coordinates: 39°03′N 9°01′W / 39.05°N 9.017°W / 39.05; -9.017Coordinates: 39°03′N 9°01′W / 39.05°N 9.017°W / 39.05; -9.017
Country	Portugal
Region	Centro
Subregion	Oeste
District/A.R.	Lisbon
Government
• Mayor	Jorge Riso (PS)
Area
• Total	304.2 km2 (117.5 sq mi)
Population
• Total	42,932
• Density	141/km2 (370/sq mi)
Parishes (no.)	16
Municipal holiday	Ascension Day date varies
Website	http://www.cm-alenquer.pt

Alenquer (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐlẽˈkɛɾ]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 304.2 km² and a total population of 42,932 inhabitants. The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in the District of Lisbon.

The present Mayor is Jorge Riso, elected by the Socialist Party.

History

The name Alenquer is said to derive from the Germanic "Alen Ker" meaning the Temple of the Alans, and the city itself is, legend says, is said to have been established by the Alanian king Attaces.^[1]. The Alans' dog, the Alaunt, is represented in the city's coat of arms. This is nothing but a legend, though, as there have been settlemenst in the area before Roman times^[2], and these were also established there, namely in the location of Ierabriga or Lerabriga^[3]. The city's castle, however, may have been established by the Alans, or maybe the Visigoths^[4].

Alenquer received its Foral in 1212 by the hand of Infanta (Princess) Sancha, Lady of Alenquer, daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal.

Notable residents

• Damião de Góis, humanist philosopher

Parishes

• Abrigada
• Aldeia Galega da Merceana
• Aldeia Gavinha
• Cabanas de Torres
• Cadafais
• Carnota
• Carregado
• Meca
• Olhalvo
• Ota
• Pereiro de Palhacana
• Ribafria
• Santo Estêvão (Alenquer)
• Triana (Alenquer)
• Ventosa
• Vila Verde dos Francos

See also

• Alenquer DOC, a wine designation.

Notes

External links

Official websites:

• Official site

Other websites:

• Fórum Alenquer