Alvito Municipality

Alvito
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Location in Portugal
Coordinates: 38°15′N 7°59′W
Country	Portugal
Region	Alentejo
Subregion	Baixo Alentejo
District/A.R.	Beja
Government
• Mayor	João Trindade (Ind.)
Area
• Total	264.8 km2 (102.2 sq mi)
Population
• Total	2,708
• Density	10/km2 (30/sq mi)
Parishes (no.)	2
Municipal holiday	Ascension Day date varies
Website	http://www.cm-alvito.pt

Alvito (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐɫˈvitu]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 264.8 km² and a total population of 2,708 inhabitants.

The municipality is composed of 2 parishes, and is located in Beja District.

The current mayor is João Lança Trindade.

History

Castle of Alvito

The Alvito region has been inhabited since the Neolithic, and during the period of Roman domination several villae were established nearby, later occupied by Visigoths and Moors. During the Reconquista, Alvito was conquered by the Portuguese in 1234, being later (1251) donated by King Afonso III to Estêvão Anes, chancellor of the kingdom, who promoted the settlement of the area.

The village gained a foral (letter of feudal rights) in 1280, confirmed by King Dinis I in 1283. In 1296 an annual fair was established, attesting the rapid development of the region. In 1387, King John I donated Alvito to knight Diogo Lobo in exchange for his services in the decisive Battle of Aljubarrota (1385), and in 1475 the title of Baron was granted to the rulers of Alvito.

The 15th and 16th centuries were a time of strong economic and populational development of Alvito, which reached 1700 inhabitants in 1527. The Castle of Alvito was rebuilt between 1494 and 1504, and its architecture and decoration show an interesting mix of Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) and Mudéjar (Arab-influenced) styles, typical of the Alentejo region. Also the main church (matriz) of Alvito, in a mix of Manueline and early Renaissance styles, dates from the early 16th century.

After the 18th century, Alvito faced an economic stagnation that continued until the 20th century, and it now bets on its touristic potential. In 1993, the Castle of Alvito was turned into a luxury hotel of the Pousadas de Portugal brand.

Parishes

View of a street in Alvito. The yellow building in the background is the main church (matriz) of the village.

• Alvito
• Vila Nova da Baronia

Cities and towns

The municipality includes one town:

• Alvito, Portugal

Demographics

Year	Population
1801	1079
1849	4569
1900	3065
1930	4556
1960	4850
1981	2968
1991	2650
2001	2688
2004	2708

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Portugal

Twin towns — Sister cities

Alvito is twinned with:

• Alvito, Italy

External links

• Official website
• Photos from Alvito