About Vila de Rei

Vila de Rei is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Castelo Branco. The population in 2011 was 5,673, in an area of 261.88 km². It is located in the Centro Region, and sub-region of Alto Alentejo, with 41,800 inhabitants (2011). The town of Vila de Rei includes the main settlement and seat of the municipality, with a population of 2,300 (2011). The present Mayor is Luis Miguel Nunes da Silva, elected by the Social Democratic Party. The municipal holiday is June 13. The toponym Vila de Rei, meaning "Village of the King", was recorded for the first time in royal documents in 1258. The territory of the municipality is traditionally associated with the Legend of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais, in which two French brothers, sons of the Duke of Aquitaine, were said to have been shipwrecked off the coast of Portugal. They were welcomed by the local people, who granted them land on which they built a church dedicated to the saints. According to the 2011 census, the municipality of Vila de Rei had 5,673 inhabitants. Of these, 44.6% were male and 55.4% were female. The average age of the population was 42.3 years, slightly below the national average of 43.0. The municipality is located in the Centro Region of Portugal and is a part of the district of Castelo Branco. It covers an area of 261.88 km² and has 41,800 inhabitants (2011). Vila de Rei is situated in the sub-region of Alto Alentejo, in the northeastern part of the district of Castelo Branco. It is bounded by the municipalities of Covilhã to the north, Proença-a-Nova to the east, Vila Velha de Ródão to the south, and Castelo Branco and Idanha-a-Nova to the west. The municipality is accessible via the A23 motorway, which passes through the northern part of the municipality. It is also served by the IP3 national road and by the Beira Baixa railway line. The town of Vila de Rei includes the main settlement and seat of the municipality, with a population of 2,300 (2011). The town is located in the northern part of the municipality, on the left bank of the River Zêzere. It is situated on a hill, at an elevation of approximately 400 metres. Vila de Rei is a typical Portuguese town, with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. The main square, Praça do Município, is lined with cafés and restaurants. The parish church, Igreja Matriz de Vila de Rei, is located in the centre of the town. It was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style. The municipality of Vila de Rei is home to a number of interesting historical buildings and monuments. These include the 18th-century Convento de São Francisco, the castle of Monsanto (15th century), and the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (17th century). Outside the town of Vila de Rei, the municipality is predominantly rural. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, covered with vineyards, olive groves, and cork oak forests. The municipality is well known for its production of wine and olive oil. There are also a number of small industries, including a ceramic factory. The municipality of Vila de Rei is twinned with: Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais, France Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain Monchique, Portugal Paul, France Vila de Rei is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Castelo Branco. The population in 2011 was 5,673, in an area of 261.88 km². It is located in the Centro Region, and sub-region of Alto Alentejo, with 41,800 inhabitants (2011). The town of Vila de Rei includes the main settlement and seat of the municipality, with a population of 2,300 (2011). The present Mayor is Luis Miguel Nunes da Silva, elected by the Social Democratic Party. The municipal holiday is June 13. The toponym Vila de Rei, meaning "Village of the King", was recorded for the first time in royal documents in 1258. The territory of the municipality is traditionally associated with the Legend of Saint