Águeda

History

Águeda, has been a municipal seat since 1834 and has had official city status since 1985. It was built on a foundation of successive Celt, Turduli and Greek inhabitants since 370 BCE.

Ancient occupation of this area was marked by diverse megalithic monuments, including the archaeological site at Cabeço de Vouga, an important Roman military fortification along routes from Olissipo (Lisbon) to Bracara.

In the 9th Century, Águeda was a prosperous burg, with stable commerce and an active port that supported local and regional businesses. It was mentioned in documents from 1050 to 1077, by its primitive name Casal Lousado (Latin: Casal Lousato), or by its anglicized forms: Anegia, Agatha and Ágada; by the 9th Century, this settlement was referred to as Ágata. In a document dated 1050, there is mention of several villages situated within the current borders, many with names originating from Arab languages.

Águeda never achieved a foral during the Middle Ages, in contrast to its neighbors, it was considered regal lands and dominions of the monasteries of Lorvão and Vacariça. It functioned as an ancillary center on the road to Santiago de Compostela, and the river-side village was most certainly visited by Queen Isabel in 1325, during her customary pilgrimages to the religious center.

A new phase of settlement occurred after the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, from the 11th–12th century: although its inhabitants prospered, and had many privileges, their representatives from Aveiro in the Cortes of Évora (1451), never requested a foral declaration. King D. Manuel I included Águeda in a general foral granted to Aveiro, in 1515, but was only, later, provided a separate charter.

In 1834, Águeda ascended to the category of municipal seat, as a consequence of the Liberal Revolution, when major administrative reforms were initiated. Its important political place and strategic politico-military position, allowed Águeda to support military troops during the second French Invasion, when it functioned as military hospital. Resulting from the administrative reform, Águeda began its political career in the shadow of great change, and many of its citizens were important land reformers. The municipality of Águeda, was established on 31 December 1853, and integrated many older concelhos of medieval origins long since extinct, including Aguada de Cima, Castanheira do Vouga and Préstimo.

As a frontier city located between the sea and land, it occupies a privileged position, serviced by both railroads and an expanding road network. These advancements, allowed the economic and social development of the region, and placed Águeda in an important position, resulting in its growth and development. On 8 July 1985, Águeda was elevated to the category of city.

Geography

The municipality of Águeda is administratively integrated into the former district of Aveiro, in the region of Beira Litoral; it is located 240 kilometres (149 miles) from Lisbon, 72 kilometres (45 miles) from Porto and 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Aveiro.

Physical geography

It is situated in the hydrographic basin of the River Vouga, limited in the north by the Vouga, the south by the river Cértima, to the east by the Serra do Caramulo and west by the lowlands of the Ria de Aveiro. These frontiers establishs Águeda in a central position, in a transition zone between the coastal zones and interior, thus affording the municipality with various socio-economic advantages. In addition to the mentioned rivers, the area is also delimited by the River Marnel, and the tributaries of the Águeda River: the River Alfusqueiro, Agadão and Dornes ravine.

Ecoregions/Protected zones

The Pateira de Fermentelos, shortened to Pateira is a natural lake, localized within the triangle of the municipalities of Águeda, Aveiro and Oliveira do Bairro before the confluence of the Cértima and Águeda Rivers. It is the second largest lake in the Iberian peninsula, rich in diverse species of animal, bird, fish and aquatic plants.

Human geography

Between 1991 and 2001, the population resident in Águeda increased 11.3%; these were primarily in parishes of Segadães (32.9%), Aguada de Cima (32.8%) and Recardães (20.8%), while there was a 32.9% decrease in the population. Population density increased in the parishes of Águeda, Recardães, Aguada de Baixo, Fermentelos and Trofa, while parishes closer to the interior (such as Agadão, Préstimo, Castanheira do Vouga and Macieira de Alcoba) were less concentrated.

Since the implementation of the national administrative reform in January 2013, the municipality includes 11 civil parishes (Freguesias), resulting from the politico-administrative amalgamation of several of the former 20 parishes. These parishes handle local-level administrative tasks, which include provision of municipal and social services and are detailed in the following table:

Twin towns — Sister cities

Águeda is twinned with:

Economy

Águeda is an important commercial and industrial center, localized in an area that is extremely fertile; the primary sectors of note: corn harvests, fruit orchards, vineyards and forest products. The region known as the Bairrada, which encompasses many of the local civil parishes, is well known for its vineyards and wine industry, as well as its suckling pig.

It has developed a strong industrial base that includes factories that produce motorized and common bicycles and several companies concentrating on civil construction. In 2001, 60% of the resident population was employed in the secondary sector, yet between 1991–2001 there has been a 53% increase in those employed in tertiary sector, while there has been a 78.4% decrease in secondary sector throughout the municipality.

Transport

Part of the litoral area, the region is crossed by elements of the north-south Porto-Lisbon roadway, and served by intramunicipal roads connecting it with Albergaria-a-Velha (in the north), Oiã (in the south), along the A25 and EN333, and the major EN1/IC2 motorway, that produces the major traffic influx of the region. To reach Águeda, there are essentially three distinct roadways: the EN230 (that connects Aveiro to Caramulo), the EN333 (linking Oiã to the A25, in Talhadas) and the EN336, by way of the EN230 to Mortágua. Still further, the municipality is crossed in the north by the A25, that links Aveiro and Vilar Formoso, resulting in reduced traffic along the EN1/IC2 and EN333.

Even within the municipality, a 21,082 kilometres (13,100 mi) line of railway lines of the Vouga line, that links Aveiro and Sernada do Vouga, provides daily direct commuter service to railstops within the region.

Architecture

There are several sites of cultural significance and landscapes within the municipality that the local authority has attempted to preserve in order to promote tourism; resulting in the establishment of infrastructures and services in order to preserve these examples of local patrimony.

Civic

Religious

Culture

Among its traditional artisan products, the region is recognized for its traditional clay pottery, handmade baskets, knitted craft-works, tannery products.

Suckling pig, in the style of Bairrada is the most significant contribution to gastronomy in the region, although sweets are not far behind: pastas de Águeda (English: custard), barriga de freira, fuzis and sequilhos, in addition to the padas da Veiga. Other common dishes in this region: chanfana, rojões, carne à lampantana or caldeirda de peixe (English: fish stew), all great meals that are accompanied by local wines and sparkling drinks from the cellars of the Bairrada region.

Sport

The municipality promotes many sport-related activities in the communities of Águeda, in order to foster participation and improve healthy living throughout its 20 civil parishes. These initiatives include: a program for older residents (60 or over), support for many athletic clubs and leagues within its borders, and the maintenance and operation of a municipal pool for local residents.

Major clubs

Notable athletes

Notable citizens

Apart from those athletes mentioned above, the municipality has been the residency of many importance citizens, including: