Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Marinha Grande

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Country
  
Subregion
  
Pinhal Litoral

District
  
Population
  
38,681 (2011)

Region
  
Centro

Intermunic. comm.
  
Time zone
  
WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)

Local time
  
Monday 2:20 AM

Marinha Grande wwwvidrimoldeptficheirosimagensnormalresized

Weather
  
9°C, Wind N at 21 km/h, 69% Humidity

Points of interest
  
Praia de São Pedro de Moel, Museu do Vidro, Praia Velha, Farol do Penedo da Saudade, Praia da Concha

Ciganos da marinha grande


Marinha Grande ([mɐˈɾiɲɐ ˈɣɾɐ̃d(ɨ)]) is a municipality in the Leiria District, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 38,681, in an area of 187.25 km². The city itself has a population of 30,000.

Contents

Map of Marinha Grande, Portugal

It is located right in the middle of the 700-year-old Leiria pine forest covering 100 square kilometres, and near excellent beaches such as Praia da Vieira, Nazaré, and São Pedro de Moel.

The present Mayor is Álvaro Pereira, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.

Apanhados mr pizza ep 6 marinha grande


Parishes

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

  • Marinha Grande
  • Moita
  • Vieira de Leiria
  • History

    The Pinhal de Leiria forest was first planted in the 13th century by Dom Afonso III and expanded by Dom Dinis as a barrier against the sands and to supply timber to the maritime industry.

    The Marinha Grande glass manufacturing industry was first established in the middle of the 18th century. The Royal Glass Factory (Real Fabrica de Vidros) was bought by an English entrepreneur William Stephens who developed the factory and the business under the protection of the Marques de Pombal. The wood from the pine forest was used to fuel the factories. The former palatial home of William Stephens now contains the Museu do Vidro da Marinha Grande which houses glassware from the 17th to the 20th century. In 1826, the factory was given to the state and became one of the country's main producers of traditionally made fine crystal.

    Economy

    Marinha Grande is Portugal's biggest glass manufacturer, and it is also the European capital for the moulding industry, with 250 companies operating there, rightfully giving the town the nickname 'The Crystal City'.

    The city is served by a highway and a train line. It is a 1-hour 15-minute drive away from Lisbon, only 10 minutes away from Leiria and 45 minutes from Coimbra.

    Tourism

    The pine forest is an aromatic forest and has waymarked paths for walkers. It has several campsites within it. There is a cycle route from Marinha Grande to São Pedro de Moel on the coast. There are tours around the glass works and to the glass museums.

    Sports

    Atlético Clube Marinhense is the local team, it plays at Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande, a venue shared in past with former Primeira Liga club, U.D. Leiria.

    Hugo Gaspar, notable Portuguese volleyball player was born in Vieira de Leiria.

    References

    Marinha Grande Wikipedia