Vila Nova de Milfontes is a town and civil parish ("freguesia") in the municipality ("concelho") of Odemira, in the Alentejo region in Portugal. The population in 2021 was 5,653, in an area of 76.48 km2.
History.
One of the older parishes in the municipality, it was founded in 1485 by King John II. The area was constituted to serve an economic and defensive role in the Alentejo, at the confluence of the Mira River, and benefited from its strategic importance as a safe harbor. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor crimes; 50 years later the population of the parish was little more than ten families.
The village was frequently attacked by pirates and was destroyed completely in 1590. In response, Fort São Clemente was constructed between 1599 and 1602 under the reign of King PhilipII during the personal union of Spain and Portugal.
During the 19th century, the parish was integrated into the municipality of Odemira, during the administrative reforms of Mouzinho da Silveira.
Vila Nova de Milfontes was involved in Portuguese aviation, being the starting point of the Lisbon-Macau Raid. On 7 April 1924, pilots José Manuel Sarmento de Beires and left Campo dos Coitos, near Milfontes on their voyage to the Far East. In homage to the aviators and their historic flight, in the Barbacã Square (alongside the fort), a monument was erected to mark their voyage.
Geography.
Vila Nova de Milfontes is located along the western coast of Atlantic Ocean on the northern margin of the Mira River, falling within the Nature Park of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast. Vila Nova de Milfontes is dominated by a large estuary and ecosystem, dominated by the Mira River that gives shelter to several species of birds and marine life, in addition to wild boar and fox in the surrounding woods.
Beaches.
There are several beaches near the urban areas that regularly attract tourists and surfers:
Economy.
Along the river, the small fishing port is still maintained, provide a small source of income. In fact, the region has developed an aquaculture centre nearby in Moinho da Asneira.
Moreover, sport fishing, diving, pedestrian trails, horse trails and all-terrain sports are promoted for amateur tourists, supported by a local service economy designed on tourism. Moreover, the surrounding area offers ecological tourism, paragliding training, a small safari park and beautiful hideouts with small waterfalls. The tourist-oriented town, with only a small population, annually becomes inflated during the summer and holiday seasons, tourists attracted by the white sand beaches, clear water and landscape.
References.
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