Souto (Abrantes)

Souto is a former civil parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Aldeia do Mato e Souto. The population in 2011 was 418, in an area of 13.09 km².

History

The name of this region developed from the existence of a dense forest of chestnut trees; its toponymy is a literal translation of this type of vegetation. The population of the region date back to the Calcolithic period of prehistoric settlement.

During the Spanish invasion of Portugal during the Peninsular Wars it was a point of resistance; the Count of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg, William, established a line of defence in Souto as part of his intervention, under the authority of the Marquess of Pombal to protect Portugal.

Souto received its parish status on 21 October 1629.

Geography

The civil parish is located in the northern part of the municipality, neighbouring the parishes of Fontes (to the north); Carvalhal (to the east); São Vicente and Aldeia do Mato (to the west); separated from the municipality of Tomar by the Tagus River. It is the 17th largest parish by area, 18th by population and 12 in population density.

Abrantes

Abrantes (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐˈβɾɐ̃tɨʃ]) is a municipality in the central Médio Tejo subregion of Portugal. The population as of 2011 was 39,325, in an area of 714.69 square kilometres (275.94 sq mi). The municipality includes several parishes divided by the Tagus River, which runs through the middle of the municipality. The urbanized part, the parish of Abrantes (São Vicente e São João) e Alferrarede, located on the north bank of the Tagus, has about 17,000 residents.

History

The Celts are believed to have established the first settlement in Abrantes around 300 BC. The name is derived from Latin Aurantes, perhaps referring to deposits of alluvial gold (Latin: aurum) along the Tagus. Similarly, Roman mosaics, coins, the remains of ancient aqueducts, as well as other antiquities, have been discovered in the vicinity of Abrantes.

The village of Abrantes and the Abrantes Castle were conquered from the Moors by Afonso I of Portugal in 1148. After 1172, Abrantes was a military outpost, under the dominion of the Order of Saint James of Compostela. Later, it became a distinct order, when Pope Nicholas IV (around 1290) released the Order from the jurisdiction of the Castilian grand master in Uclés. It received its municipal foral in 1179, in compensation for its resistance against the Moroccan Abem Jacob. Its creation in 1179, was based on the concelhos perfeitos ("perfect municipality") model; they were formed on the specific day that settlers were invited to populate them; the administrative regime, the organization of the municipal authority and geographic distribution were planned as part of system of populating uninhabited lands, and extending the political influence of the Kingdom. In 1173, the region, including its castle, were donated to the Order of Saint James of the Sword). Its geography contributed to the colonization:

Abrantes (Madrid Metro)

Abrantes is a station on Line 11 of the Madrid Metro. It is located in Fare Zone A.

References