Parishes 11 Area 266.1 km² Local time Tuesday 7:39 AM | Region Norte Intermunic. comm. Douro Population 7,874 (2011) | |
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Weather 9°C, Wind E at 3 km/h, 74% Humidity Points of interest Miradouro de São Salvador do Mundo, QUEVEDO, Torre do Relógio (Arco, Arcada) | ||
São João da Pesqueira ([sɐ̃w ʒuˈɐ̃w dɐ pɨʃˈkɐjɾɐ]) is a town and municipality in the district of Viseu in Portugal. The municipality comprises the town of São João da Pesqueira, which is the seat of the municipality, and a number of nearby villages, organized into parishes (frequesias) as listed below. The population of the entire municipality in 2011 was 7,874, in an area of 266.11 km². Its altitude is 850m. The present mayor is António Lima Costa, elected by the Social Democratic Party. The municipal holiday is June 24.
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Map of S%C3%A3o Jo%C3%A3o da Pesqueira, Portugal
Location
The municipality is bordered on the north by the River Douro and the municipality of Alijó, on the northeast by Carrazeda de Ansiães, on the east by Vila Nova de Foz Côa (district of Guarda), on the south-east by Penedono, on the south by Sernancelhe, on the west by Tabuaço and on the north-west by Sabrosa.
Economy
São João da Pesqueira is well endowed with vineyards producing for the port wine industry, and is considered as the heart of the Douro wine region as demarcated by the Marquês de Pombal, who lived in Pesqueira when he was young. The municipality includes much attractive countryside, and a spectacular viewpoint over the Douro valley and the Valeira dam from the chapel of São Salvador do Mundo (Ermo). The hermit Friar Gaspar (1594 - 1615) lived and died there. Tourist attractions include a substantial museum of wine in Pesqueira, and a network of waymarked hiking trails, including a section of the GR 14 Porto to Strasbourg Rota dos Vinhos da Europa.
History
São João da Pesqueira is the oldest recognized municipality in the country, created in 1055, thus taking precedence over such major cities as Coimbra, Guimarães or Lamego.
Demographics
Population of the municipality of São João da Pesqueira (1801 – 2011)
Parishes
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes (freguesias):