Golegã


Golegã is a town and municipality in Santarém District, Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 5,913, in an area of 84.32 km².
The present Mayor is Rui Manuel Lince Singeis Medinas Duarte, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.
WWW Official Site

Historical sights

The main historical sight of Golegã is its main church Igreja Matriz da Golegã, built in the early 16th century in Manueline style. The remarkable main portal and the ribbed vaulting inside the main chapel are its most important artistic features. Near Golegã village is located the Quinta da Cardiga, a manor house with its origin in a 12th-century donation to the Knights Templar. Originally the site of a castle, the property was remodelled in the 16th century into a Renaissance rural palace.
Image:Matriz da Golegã.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Main Church of Golegã and its Manueline portal.

Geography

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 3 civil parishes :

Economy

The main agricultural productions in the municipality are maize and Beta vulgaris. The area is a reputed animal breeding center and an internationally renowned cattle and horse market. Golegã is considered the capital of the horse, and it has been the site for the gathering of breeders since at least the 18th century. Two fairs take place every November in Golegã: The Feira Nacional do Cavalo and the Feira Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano, dedicated to the Pure Blood Lusitano.

Notable persons