Almeirim

Sister cities

• Dreux

History

There are vestiges of mid-Paleolithic to Mesolithic period along the territory, including traces from Neolithic, Calcolithic and Bronze Age remnants. The Iron Age also marked this region, with archaeological excavations unearthing settlements and artefacts. occupied the territory, following the Tagus upstream and disembarking in Santarém, where they left their marks. In 1483, Almeirim was elevated to the status of municipality, wherein he bestowed a concession on its residents. As a consequence, in 1490, its first almoxarife (sheriff) Álvaro Pires Borges was assigned by King D. John II from the royal guard. In 1500, the Church of São João Baptista was constructed. The palace was expanded and improved by Manuel I of Portugal who was in Almeirim several times: in 1510, part of 1513, Christmas of 1514 and all the period between October 1515 and May 1516. John III of Portugal followed his example, and spent similar time in Almeirim. He ordered the construction of a royal palace near the Ribeira de Muge (Muja or Mugem), that became known as Paço da Ribeira de Muge and later, the Paço dos Negros, then later the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Serra. King Sebastian, who frequently visited Almeirim, created a dynastic succession crisis with his disappearance at the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir. Without a successor, the Cortes of Almeirim was opened by Cardinal Henry on 11 January 1580, to decide on the problem of succession. During the Cortes, Febo Moniz, as magistrate of Lisbon, directed his response to the Cardinal, stating "Give this your Highness to a Portuguese prince and all will kiss his hand". But, little was resolved, and the Kingdom eventually began to be governed by Philip II of Spain, beginning the reign of Phillipian Dynastic Union, until 1 December 1640. At the time…

Geography

Almeirim is situated from Lisbon, and in Santarém; its neighbours include Alpiarça (to the north), Chamusca (in the east and northeast), Salvaterra da Magos, Coruche (both in the south), Santarém (in the northwest) and Cartaxo (in the south). The municipality is situated on a plain along the Tagus Valley and Lezíria, approximately along the left bank of the Tagus River. * Almeirim * Benfica do Ribatejo * Fazendas de Almeirim * Raposa Two main roadways support the population of Almeirim: the EN114 and EN118, in addition to the inter-community IC10. The construction of the Salgueiro Maia bridge and A13 bridge serves and reinforces the privileged location of Almeirim, in addition to constant traffic from Santarém and the rest of the country.

Most-observed species

• Large-billed Tern

  Phaetusa simplex (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  7
• Buff-necked Ibis

  Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  3
• Horned Screamer

  Anhima cornuta (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  3
• Gloria De La Manana

  Ipomoea carnea Jacq. · Magnoliopsida
  3
• Black Witch

  Ascalapha odorata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Insecta
  2
• Ello Sphinx

  Erinnyis ello Linnaeus, 1758 · Insecta
  2
• Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

  Cathartes burrovianus Cassin, 1845 · Aves
  2
• Black Vulture

  Coragyps atratus (Bechstein, 1793) · Aves
  2