Carnide () is a freguesia (civil parish) and district of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Located in northern Lisbon, Carnide is north of São Domingos de Benfica and Benfica, east of Lumiar, and directly south of Lisbon's border with Odivelas. The population in 2021 was 18,028.

History

Antiquity (up to 711 CE) 
The settlement of the extensive area north of the boundaries of Lisbon up to Odivelas dates back to ancient times, preceding Romanization. In addition to traces of scattered occupation during the Neolithic era, a few small-sized settlements were established, which were swiftly assimilated into Roman culture and economy.

During the 1st century, there existed several farming ventures within the region that now constitutes the freguesia (civil parish) of Carnide, ensuring the sustenance of the settlements situated there. 

In the 4th century, the initial surge in population was recorded, owing to the erection of a fresh cathedral, a monastery, and a infirmary (currently known as the Hospital da Luz, which presently houses the Colégio Militar).

Muslim rule (711 CE - 1147 CE) 
During the Muslim rule, between the 8th and 12th centuries, the occupation intensified with the consolidation of small homesteads and the development of orchards and gardens. The region was considered the granary of Lisbon, and from here, agricultural products regularly supplied the city. 

At the time of the conquest of Lisbon, the number of local residents was already significant, and they were joined by many Moors who were either expelled from the city or left voluntarily. Christians and Muslims eventually merged in a short time, erasing religious and cultural differences.

Kingdom of Portugal and incorporation into Lisbon (1147 - 1885) 
The parish is believed to have been formally established in the year 1279. During this period, toponymic recognition became permanently entrenched. The name Carnide is undoubtedly of greater antiquity (Celtic, Latin, or Moorish in origin), yet it started to gain widespread use only in the medieval era, closely tied to the parish entity.

Renown for its salubrious air, it attracted a number of aristocrats who chose to take up residence in Carnide, thereby enlivening the local economy. This inclination continued until the 16th century when Carnide was transformed into a hamlet, positioned between the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz and the Church of São Lourenço (1342).

Many noblemen arrived in Carnide to convalesce from military campaigns in the conquest of North Africa during the reign of King Afonso V. The monarch himself, who in 1442 granted land in the vicinity of Carnide, is believed to have temporarily resided here, as did King John II, who dispatched a letter to the Baron of Alvito dated March 24, 1462, and signed in Carnide.

In 1463, the veneration of Our Lady of Light commenced, and the following year, a pilgrimage began at the end of summer, in September, marking the conclusion of the agricultural harvests.

By the 18th century, the parish was essentially composed of two established nuclei, Carnide and Luz. In the 18th century, Luz served as a significant hub of attraction within the parish of Carnide. Large fairs and pilgrimages were held in the current Garden and Praça da Luz (Luz Square), drawing numerous visitors to the area during the summer months. The processions and pilgrimages of Nossa Senhora da Luz were grand events, attended even by the nobility.

In 1852, the parish of Carnide was incorporated into the newly established municipality of Belém. Thirty-three years later, in 1885, it once again became part of the municipality of Lisbon. During this period, urban development works were carried out in the Praça da Luz (Luz Square), and improvements were made to the public roads in the parish.

Urbanization and new boundaries (1885-2012) 
At the end of the 19th century, the construction of two ceramic factories in the outskirts of the settlements, along with the establishment of industrial units in neighboring parishes, invigorated the economy and encouraged laborers to settle in Carnide. 

In the 20th century, agricultural practices, coupled with rural exodus, led to the abandonment of many estates. This, in turn, marked the commencement of intensive urbanization in the area. Carnide had always been a parish where the aristocracy coexisted with the less privileged social strata. Nowadays, Carnide boasts both older and more contemporary districts. If the Carnide Historic centre houses around 1,300 people, while more than 6,000 live in Bairro Padre Cruz, one of the biggest social housing neigbourhoods in Europe.

Relevant historical happenings include:

 1983 the Vergílio Ferreira Secondary School has been erected where the Quinta dos Inglesesinhos a community of Catholic Irish friars, once stood.
 1996: Inauguration of the Carnide Cemitery. Notable people buried here include poet Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen 
 1997: Inauguration of Colombo shopping mall.

Infrastructure developement (2012 - present) 

Following the Administrative Reform of civil parishes occurred in Portugal in 2012-2013, Carnide lost around 17.6% of its population to Lumiar and Benfica.
2015 saw the start of an ambitious project aimed at rehabilitating Bairro Padre Cruz neigbourhood, where around 6,100 people live, making it one of the biggest social housing neigbourhoods in Europe. By 2019, more than 300 houses had already been torn down and substituted by better accomodations. In 2020 the construction of other 100 brand new houses, as well as the demolition of old ones, was announced.

Demographics 
Between 1864 and 1878 it belonged to the extinct municipality of Belém. The limits were set by Law n.º 56/2012, of November 8th. 

In 1890, little after Carnide was incorporated into Lisbon, the total population stood at 1,737. In 1970, 80 years later, the population had grown to 8,736, recording a 402.9% growth rate. 

The parish experienced continued growth in 1980 Census (when many people coming from the former Portuguese colonies in Africa - the so called retornados - moved to Portugal) up to 2011. From 1970 to 2011 Carnide gained 14,580 people, recording a 166.9% growth rate. The 2012 Portuguese administrative reform meant that the population fell from 23,316 to 19,218 (17.6% of the parish population) since parts of the parish were incorporated into neighbouring Benfica or Lumiar.

The proportion of senior citizens, defined as those older than 65, has been steadily increasing in recent years. If they represented 13.48% of the population in 2001, their share increased to 15.55% in 2011 and further to 23.68% in 2021.

Landmarks
Chafariz do Malvar: Public drinking fountain dated 1857.
Colégio Militar: Military high school founded in 1803.
Colombo Centre: Second largest shopping mall in Portugal. The mall has 119 725 m2 and 340 stores.
Coreto de Carnide: Bandstand dated 1929. It stands in the Historical centre of Carnide.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz: Church from the XVI century. It hosts the grave of Infanta D. Maria.
Miradouro da Serra da Luz: An elevated viewpoint on Oeiras and Odivelas
Museu do do Posto de Comando do MFA: Inaugurated in 2001, it is a museum dedicated to the Portuguese Armed forces located where the Carnation Revolution started. The access is made from Odivelas and the museum is managed by Odivelas municipality.
Troço da Muralha de Circunvalação de Lisboa: ruins of ancient Lisbon walls, visible from Rua principal, 195, Odivelas. A section around 340 meters long lies in Carnide

Streets 
The parish of Carnide was one of those maintained during the administrative reorganization of the city of Lisbon,  suffering only minor adjustments along the borders with the neighboring parishes.

The parish has 160 streets. They are:

References

Parishes of Lisbon