Golegã (European Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡulɨˈɣɐ̃] ) is a town and municipality in Santarém District, Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 5,913,[1][2] in an area of 84.32 km².[1][3]

Golegã
Flag of Golegã
Coat of arms of Golegã
Coordinates: 39°24′N 8°29′W / 39.400°N 8.483°W / 39.400; -8.483
Country Portugal
RegionOeste e Vale do Tejo
Intermunic. comm.Lezíria do Tejo
DistrictSantarém
Parishes3
Government
 • PresidentJosé Tavares Veiga Silva Maltez (PS)
Area
 • Total
84.32 km2 (32.56 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
5,913
 • Density70/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Local holidayAscension Day (date varies)
Websitewww.cm-golega.pt

The present Mayor is Rui Manuel Lince Singeis Medinas Duarte, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.

Historical sights

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The main historical sight of Golegã is its main church Igreja Matriz da Golegã, built in the early 16th century in Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) style. The remarkable main portal and the ribbed vaulting inside the main chapel are its most important artistic features. Near Golegã village is located the Quinta da Cardiga, a manor house with its origin in a 12th-century donation to the Knights Templar. Originally the site of a castle, the property was remodelled in the 16th century into a Renaissance rural palace.

 
Main Church of Golegã and its Manueline portal.

Geography

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Parishes

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Administratively, the municipality is divided into 3 civil parishes (freguesias):[4]

Population

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Population of Golegã municipality
1801 1849 1900 1930 1960 1981 1991 2001 2011
2452 2866 5694 6325 6150 5963 6072 5710 5913[1]

Economy

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Câmara Municipal (City Hall), Golegã (2008)

The main agricultural productions in the municipality are maize and Beta vulgaris. The area is a reputed animal breeding center and an internationally renowned cattle and horse market. Golegã is considered the capital of the horse (Capital do Cavalo), and it has been the site for the gathering of breeders since at least the 18th century. Two fairs take place every November in Golegã: The Feira Nacional do Cavalo (National Horse Fair) and the Feira Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano (International Lusitano Horse Fair), dedicated to the Pure Blood Lusitano.

Notable persons

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d including the parish Pombalinho, that changed from the municipality of Santarém to Golegã in 2013
  2. ^ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  3. ^ "Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país". Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  4. ^ Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 53" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 July 2014.
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