Vila Nova de Gaia

Sister cities

• Rio de Janeiro

History

The territory of Vila Nova de Gaia has been inhabited since at least 100,000 years ago, as evidenced by Middle Paleolithic archaeological findings. This presence continued through the Chalcolithic period, marked by the construction of barrows, and the Bronze Age, as demonstrated by the settlement at Alto da Vela in Gulpilhares. During the Iron Age, hillforts (castros) were established, including the Castro do Monte Murado in Pedroso, where two bronze plaques inscribed with Latin text () were found. These plaques record a hospitality pact between the Turduli Veteres, the local ethnic group and the newly arrived Romans. During this time, most of the population likely resided south of the Douro River, with a smaller settlement on the northern bank around a deep-water port in what is now Porto's Ribeira neighbourhood. This northern settlement, known as Portus Cale (the "port" of Cale, source of the name "Portugal"), grew in prominence over time due to the thriving Douro River trade, attracting the clergy and the merchant class. In 1302, King Denis also established a fair in Vila Nova de Rey. This period would also lead to significant territorial reforms and the creation of the modern Vila Nova de Gaia municipality in 1832, merging the former Vila Nova de Rey and Gaia municipalities.

Geography

Vila Nova de Gaia is located on the southern bank at the mouth of the Douro River, directly across from the municipalities of Porto and Gondomar. In the west, the municipality extends towards the Atlantic Ocean, while in the east it includes the valleys of the Febros and rivers, tributaries of the Douro, by the modest elevations of Serra de Negrelos and Monte Murado. The area's physical geography has remained largely unchanged over time, aside from natural variations in sea and river levels. It is the largest municipality within the Porto Metropolitan Area. {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Parish !! Population

Most-observed species

• Yellow-legged Gull

  Larus michahellis J.F.Naumann, 1840 · Aves
  17,447
• Rock Pigeon

  Columba livia J.F.Gmelin, 1789 · Aves
  14,678
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  13,480
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  11,810
• Eurasian Magpie

  Pica pica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  11,585
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  10,221
• Eurasian Collared-Dove

  Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) · Aves
  8,697
• White Wagtail

  Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  7,749

Most recent

• M 3.3 — 2015-05-02
  1 km WSW of Arcos, Portugal
• M 2.6 — 2007-04-17
  1 km WNW of Aves, Portugal
• M 2.5 — 2006-10-05
  5 km SSW of Vieira do Minho, Portugal
• M 2.5 — 2005-09-06
  6 km W of Sande, Portugal
• M 2.8 — 2005-06-19
  4 km W of Ponte de Lima, Portugal
• M 2.7 — 2005-06-19
  3 km NW of Ponte de Lima, Portugal