Serpa (Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈsɛɾpɐ]ⓘ) is a city and a Concelho (municipality) in the central Portuguese region Alentejo. The population in 2011 was 15,623,[1] in an area of 1,105.63 square kilometres (426.89 sq mi).[2] The Guadiana River flows close to the town of Serpa.
History
Aqueduct in SerpaCastle of Serpa
Serpa has its origins in early settlement that preceded the Roman occupation of the Iberian peninsula. The neighbouring town of Beja (known as Pax Julia by the Romans) became the capital of southern Lusitanian (Pacensis). Serpa grew through the settlement of Roman colonists, with proof coming from various archaeological remains within the Roman villa.
Moorish settlement followed this period, and remained until the Reconquista (the Christian re-conquest of Iberia).
As a result of Serpa's proximity to the Spanish border, the town has always been a defensive stronghold. In the 13th century, owing to its location on the left bank of the Guadiana, it was occupied by forces loyal to Castile.[3]
On 1281, King D. Alfonso X of Castile delimited the municipality, attributing a Foral (charter) to the town, from Seville, in order to encourage settlement and expansion.[3]
Following the Reconquista, in 1295, Serpa received a new foral from Portuguese King D. Dinis.[3] The local keep that dominated Serpa was partly damaged as a result of the last Spanish invasion. At that time, the king ordered the re-construction of the castle, as well as the erection of a wall fortification.[3]
A new foral was issued in 1513, by King D. Manuel I, who was the former master of Serpa.[3]
During the 17th century, the walls and system of bastions were adapted to serve as a defensive line by Nicolau de Langres (1665).[3]
On 30 January 1954, the walls of Serpa were classified as a Monumento Nacional (National Monument).[3]
On 26 August 2003, the town of Serpa was elevated to city status.[3] Meanwhile, on 28 January 2013, the historic centre of Serpa (that included the principal civil parishes) of São Salvador and Santa Maria, was re-incorporated into a single civil parish (Decree 11-A/2013, Diário da República, Série 1, 19).[3]
A view of the Guadiana River within the territory of Serpa
Geography
Administratively, the municipality is divided into five civil parishes:[4]
The area surrounding Serpa consists mostly of farms and cultivated lands of wheat, that have traditionally been the staple of the local economy, employing many people. Due to the area's strong agricultural reliance, the local population has traditionally been agrarian farmers and sheepherders. This has also resulted in the production of its spicy and strong-smelling cheeses, produced in the area and commercialized throughout Portugal. Slightly to the northeast, in the region of Pias, the area cultivates vineyards in order to produce local wines.
Urban residents of Lisbon, Beja and other cities maintain country homes in Serpa, or take weekend breaks to the area as a result of Serpa's rural location and laid back lifestyle.
Local and regional specialties include Shepherd's Lamb Stew, a Clam and Pork dish and Sweet Potato Pastries.
Costa, Carvalho da (1706), Corografia Portuguesa (in Portuguese) (Tomo II ed.), Lisbon, Portugal, p. 474
Langres, Nicolau de, Desenhos e Plantas de todas as Praças do reyno de Portugal (in Portuguese) (BN Códice 7445 ed.), 1661((citation)): CS1 maint: location (link)
Matos, Gastão de Melo de (1941), Nicolau de Langres e a sua Portugal (Monografia) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal((citation)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Armas, Duarte de (1990), Livro das Fortalezas (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: INAPA
Portugal
