Arraiolos

Arraiolos (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐʁɐˈjɔluʃ] ⓘ) is a municipality in Évora District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 7,363,[1] in an area of 683.75 km2.[2] The town of Arraiolos has 3,351 inhabitants. The present Mayor is Silvia Pinto, elected by the Unitary Democratic Coalition.

Arraiolos
Municipality
Arraiolos seen from the castle
Arraiolos seen from the castle
Flag of Arraiolos
Flag
Coat of arms of Arraiolos
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 38°43′N 7°59′W
Country Portugal
RegionAlentejo
Intermunic. comm.Alentejo Central
DistrictÉvora
Parishes5
Government
 • PresidentSilvia Pinto (CDU)
Area
 • Total683.75 km2 (264.00 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total7,363
 • Density11/km2 (28/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Local holidayAscension Day
date varies
Websitehttp://www.cm-arraiolos.pt

The town is famous for its castle and its embroidered wool rugs and carpets. Arraiolos rugs have been made since the Middle Ages.[3]

In October 2003, Jorge Sampaio, the then President of Portugal, invited the Presidents of Finland, Germany, as well as of soon-to-be EU members Hungary, Latvia and Poland to Arraiolos in order to discuss the consequences of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union and plans for a Constitution for Europe.[4] Subsequent meetings of non-executive presidents of European Union member states have been dubbed Arraiolos meetings.

History

A hoard of prehistoric objects, including a trapezoid-shaped plaque with geometric design and three pottery vessels, was excavated from a tumulus or barrow in Arraiolos at the beginning of the twentieth century. They are now kept at the British Museum.[5]

See also

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 5 civil parishes (freguesias):[6]

  • Arraiolos
  • Gafanhoeira e Sabugueiro
  • Igrejinha
  • São Gregório e Santa Justa
  • Vimieiro

Notable people
  • A house in Arraiolos.
    A house in Arraiolos.
  • The local castle.
    The local castle.
  • View of the countryside from the castle.
    View of the countryside from the castle.

References
  1. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. "Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país". Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  3. Fleming, John & Hugh Honour. (1977) The Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts. London: Allen Lane, p. 35. ISBN 0713909412
  4. "Foreign Policy Events, 13-20 October 2003". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvia). Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  5. British Museum Collection
  6. Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 19" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 July 2014.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Arraiolos.

Media related to Arraiolos at Wikimedia Commons


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