Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province
41°17′43.696″N 7°44′46.550″W / 41.29547111°N 7.74626389°W
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Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˌtɾaz uʒ ˈmõtɨz i ˈaltu ˈðoɾu]) is a historical province of Portugal located in the northeastern corner of the country, known for its scenery, which includes plateaux, river valleys, mountains, and castles.
History
A first attempt to register its constitution was made under the reign of King Sancho II (1223–1248). A second was made in the reign of his son and successor, Afonso III (1248–1279), under the Inquirições or royal commissions in 1258, intending to base the territory of Trás-os-Montes on so-called "new towns" under direct control of the Crown. Afonso III gave it its charter in 1253, referring to the town, "a hill opposite the Crespos", which already had a core of settlements organized around the Church of St. Facundo.
Since 1833
The most important towns in the region are
In small villages the ageing inhabitants still eke out a living from small farms. Corn, rye, potatoes, wheat, olive oil, chestnuts, and grapes for wine (namely Port wine) have been the main agricultural products. Granite and mineral water are also important industries.
There is a popular saying: "Beyond Marão, those who rule are those who're there" ("Para lá do Marão mandam os que lá estão"). Lisbon has paid little attention to this area until recent years. According to Padre Fontes, a local ethnographer, "in this centuries-old "corner of the corner of Europe", alone, in a struggle against the harsh soil and inclement climate, a character was formed: "that of the sad demeanor, the mistrusting air, courageous, daring, hardworking, loyal, and with strength of character a way of life." Etnografia Transmontana, Lisbon, 1992
The Transmontanos are known in Portugal for their often plentiful table, usually filled with wine, olive oil, sausage and bread.
Municipalities
The historical province of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro included 31 municipalities, divided between four districts (
- Vila Real(14 municipalities)
- Bragança(12 municipalities)
- Alfândega da Fé
- Bragança
- Carrazeda de Ansiães
- Freixo de Espada-à-Cinta
- Macedo de Cavaleiros
- Miranda do Douro
- Mirandela
- Mogadouro
- Torre de Moncorvo
- Vila Flor
- Vimioso
- Vinhais
- Viseu(4 of 24 municipalities)
- Guarda(1 of 14 municipalities)
In 1998 there was a
Culture
Due to the region's isolation from outside influence, many folkloric forms have remained preserved up to the modern day. One example would be the area's distinctive traditional bagpipe, the gaita transmontana. Not only did Trás-os-Montes maintain a piping tradition as bagpipes in general declined throughout Europe, but the regional bagpipe also shows many aspects of pre-modern musical scales which have been preserved. Also, it's in this region that is spoken the second official language of Portugal, the Mirandese language.
See also
- Trás-os-Montes
- Tras-os-Montes VR
- Cão de Gado Transmontano, is a large molosser working dog breed, originating in the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province.
External links
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 222–223.