Vila Franca de Xira

Vila Franca de Xira is the seat of the municipality of the same name, located in the province of Ribatejo, with an area of 318,194 km2. It was elevated to city status on June 28, 1984 and its 137,659 residents are spread over 6 parishes:

• Alhandra, São João dos Montes and Calhandriz
• Alverca do Ribatejo and Sobralinho
• Castanheira do Ribatejo and Waterfalls
• Póvoa de Santa Iria and Forte da Casa
• Vialonga
• Vila Franca de Xira

The municipality integrates urban and rural characteristics and its location allows you to enjoy a valuable natural heritage: from the beauty of the Tagus River, to the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve; from the splendor of the Lezírias to the majesty of the Montes.

Vila Franca de Xira is recognized as " the motherland of great names in world bullfighting" . The secular connection to the work of the countryside and the raising of cattle in the lands of Lezíria, constitutes one of the main bases of its identity: the wild party. Field, bull and horse make up a unique picture in the region's experience . It houses the bullring “Palha Blanco” , built in 1901, one of the ex-libris of the county seat.

The festivities known as " Colete Incarnate " take place on the first weekend of July and during the first week of October the former " Feira de Outubro " is held, today known as the Handicraft Fair.

Its historical heritage is rich, with special emphasis on the palatial estates and their beautiful green areas ( Quinta Municipal da Piedade , in Póvoa de Santa Iria ; Quinta Municipal do Sobralinho and Quinta Municipal de Subserra , in São João dos Montes).

Another of its attractions in the region is its gastronomy: the shad açorda, the sole and fried eels, the cod soup, the cod roast, the wild meat stew, the Lezíria melon, the regional cakes (“Garraios”); , “Esperas” and “Lezírias”) are some of the most typical and tasty specialties.

Photography of the Municipality

In the territory there are traces of human presence since the Lower Paleolithic (between 3 million years and 250 thousand years ago), namely in the area of Alverca and Castanheira do Ribatejo.

From the fertile production of wheat, barley, corn and vegetables, to the abundance of game and livestock, as well as the fishing activity on the Tagus River, these are hallmarks that have always attracted inhabitants and seasonal workers. At the local fairs in Alhandra, Alverca or Vila Franca de Xira, regional products were sold.

It was here that the first tannery factory in the country appeared, in 1729. The arrival of the train in 1856 (the Lisbon to Carregado line), marked the beginning of a new period in the region's development, through industrialization. Even today the economic matrix of the Municipality is essentially defined by a concentration of activities in the tertiary sector, namely in terms of commerce and services.

In the 70s of the last century, the county experienced a strong population growth. Its privileged geographical location, next to the Tagus and the construction of the main access road to Lisbon to the A1 Motorway, facilitated the settlement of populations from various regions who came to live here, working in industrial areas or in Lisbon.