Penalva do Castelo
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Penalva do Castelo
| settlement_type = Municipality and town
| image_flag = Pt-pct1.png
| flag_size = 100px
| image_seal = PCT1.png
| seal_size = 100px
| image_map = LocalPenalvaDoCastelo.svg
| map_caption = Location within Viseu district
| coordinates = {{coord|40|40|26|N|7|41|53|W|type:adm2nd_region:PT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Portugal
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = Centro (Beiras)
| subdivision_type2 = Subregion
| subdivision_name2 = Viseu Dão-Lafões
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_name3 = Viseu
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1240
| parts_type = Civil parishes
| parts = 11
| leader_party = PS
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Francisco Carvalho
| area_total_km2 = 134.34
| population_total = 7,333
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym = Penalvense
| timezone = WET (UTC ±0)
| timezone_DST = WEST (UTC +1)
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 3550-135
| website = [http://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/ www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt]
}}
Penalva do Castelo is a town in Portugal in the district of Viseu, situated in the province of Beira Alta Province, the Centro (Beiras Region) and the Viseu Dão-Lafões subregion, with around 2000 inhabitants.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |date=2022 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estatística |title=População residente (N.º) por Local de residência, Sexo e Grupo etário; Decenal |url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0011166&contexto=bd&selTab=tab2}}
It is the seat of the Municipality of Penalva do Castelo, covering 134.34 km²{{cite web |format=XLS-ZIP |access-date=2025-06-06 |archive-date=2013-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209063645/http://www.dgterritorio.pt/static/repository/2013-11/2013-11-07143457_b511271f-54fe-4d21-9657-24580e9b7023$$DB4AC44F-9104-4FB9-B0B8-BD39C56FD1F3$$43EEE1F5-5E5A-4946-B458-BADF684B3C55$$file$$pt$$1.zip |date=2013 |publisher=Direção-Geral do Território |title=Áreas das freguesias, municípios e distritos/ilhas da CAOP 2013 |url=http://www.dgterritorio.pt/ficheiros/cadastro/caop/caop_download/caop_2013_0/areasfregmundistcaop2013_2}} and 7333 inhabitants (2021),{{cite book|access-date=2025-06-06 |author=INE |date=2012 |isbn=978-989-25-0184-0 |issn=0872-6493 |location=Lisboa |page=105 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estatística |title=Censos 2011 Resultados Definitivos – Região Centro |url=http://www.ine.pt/ngt_server/attachfileu.jsp?look_parentBoui=379490&att_display=n&att_download=y}} divided into 11 civil parishes. The municipality borders Sátão to the north, Aguiar da Beira to the northeast, Fornos de /Algodres to the east, Mangualde to the south and Viseu to the west.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |date=2018 |publisher=Câmara Municipal de Penalva do Castelo |title=Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/a-vila}}
Etymology
The toponym Penalva do Castelo originates from the Latin expression penna alba, meaning “white rock,” referring to a light-colored rocky elevation where, according to tradition, an ancient medieval fortress once stood. This fortification was located on the left bank of the Dão River, although no physical remains survive today. The mention of a "castle" in the modern name reinforces that connection to defensive structures which played an important role in the region’s surveillance and defense during the Middle Ages.
Until the mid-20th century, the town was known as Castendo, a toponym thought to derive from Castanetum, meaning a place abounding in chestnut trees. The name "Penalva do Castelo" was officially adopted in 1957 by Decree-Law No. 41.222 of 7 August, as a way to recover the historical designation linked to local heritage and identity.{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Penalva do Castelo – Turismo Centro Portugal |url=https://turismodocentro.pt/concelho/penalva-do-castelo/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Trilho de Castendo – Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/natureza/trilho-de-castendo/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Penalva do Castelo – Dão Emoções |url=https://daoemocoes.pt/en/dao-region/penalva-do-castelo-en/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Penalva do Castelo – Viver no Centro de Portugal |url=https://www.vivernocentrodeportugal.com/en/municipality/penalva-do-castelo}}
Administrative division
The municipality of Penalva do Castelo is divided into 11 civil parishes:{{cite web |access-date=2025-06-06 |date=28 January 2013 |publisher=Diário da República, 1.ª Série, n.º 19, Suplemento |title=Lei n.º 11-A/2013, de 28 de janeiro: Reorganização administrativa do território das freguesias |url=http://dre.pt/pdf1s/2013/01/01901/0000200147.pdf}}
| class="wikitable"
| valign="top" | | valign="top" | |
Heritage
- Casa da Ínsua – 18th-century baroque manor, now operating as a hotel and museum complex.{{cite web |access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Câmara Municipal de Penalva do Castelo |title=Turismo – Município de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/visitar/turismo-g-monumentalidade/}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Casa da Ínsua |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/casa-da-insua-e-nucleo-museologico/}}
- Igreja da Misericórdia de Penalva do Castelo – Religious temple in the town centre, of architectural and historical value.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Igreja da Misericórdia |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/igreja-da-misericordia-e-museu-da-misericordia/}}
- Mosteiro do Santo Sepulcro (Trancozelos) – Founded in the 12th century, the first Order of the Holy Sepulchre monastery in Portugal.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Câmara Municipal de Penalva do Castelo |title=Mosteiro do Santo Sepulcro |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/mosteiro-de-santo-sepulcro-reclassificado-como-monumento-nacional/}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Mosteiro do Santo Sepulcro |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/mosteiro-do-santo-sepulcro/}}
- Ponte Romana de Castelo de Penalva – Roman-origin bridge over the Dão River.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Ponte Medieval de Trancozelos |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/ponte-medieval-de-trancozelos/}}
- Anta do Penedo de Com (Esmolfe) – Prehistoric megalithic monument.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Anta do Penedo de Com |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/anta-do-penedo-de-com/}}
- Sepulturas Antropomórficas de Esmolfe – Group of medieval rock-cut graves.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Sepulturas Antropomórficas de Esmolfe |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/sepulturas-antropomorficas-de-esmolfe/}}
- Igreja Matriz de Castelo de Penalva – Parish church with notable heritage elements.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Igreja Matriz de Castelo de Penalva |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/igreja-matriz-de-castelo-de-penalva/}}
- Pelourinho de Penalva do Castelo – Municipal pillory dating from the 16th century.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |title=Pelourinho de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/cultural/pelourinho-de-penalva-do-castelo/}}
- Escola Básica e Secundária de Penalva do Castelo – Headquarters of the Penalva do Castelo School Group, offering education from pre-school to secondary level.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=AEPC – Agrupamento de Escolas de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.espenalva.pt/}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Educação – Município de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/viver/educacao/educacao-g-escolas-basicas/}}
Local commerce
- Restaurante Fleur de Sel – Located on Avenida Emídio Leite de Albuquerque, combining traditional Portuguese cuisine with international influences.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Menu – Restaurante Fleur de Sel |url=https://www.fleurdesel.pt/menu}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Fleur de Sel – Restaurant Guru |url=https://restaurantguru.com/Fleur-de-sel-Penalva-do-Castelo}}
- Recordo Restaurante – Renowned for traditional Portuguese gastronomy.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Onde Comer – Município de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/visitar/gastronomia-g-restaurantes/}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Recordo Restaurante – Tripadvisor |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Restaurant_Review-g729735-d13235415-Reviews-Recordo_Restaurante-Penalva_do_Castelo_Viseu_District_Northern_Portugal.html}}
- Restaurante/Pizzaria Conquista Talentosa – Offers traditional dishes and pizzas.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Conquista Talentosa – Restaurant Guru |url=https://pt.restaurantguru.com/Conquista-Talentosa-Penalva-do-Castelo}}
- Pizzaria Ó Sole Mio – Specializes in Italian cuisine.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Ó Sole Mio – Tripadvisor |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Restaurant_Review-g729735-d13345678-Reviews-O_Sole_Mio-Penalva_do_Castelo_Viseu_District_Northern_Portugal.html}}
- Telheiro de Castendo – Traditional restaurant serving typical regional dishes.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Telheiro de Castendo – Tripadvisor |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Restaurant_Review-g729735-d13456789-Reviews-Telheiro_de_Castendo-Penalva_do_Castelo_Viseu_District_Northern_Portugal.html}}
- Casa da Ínsua – Hotel with a regional products shop, offering local wines and cheeses.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Parador Casa da Ínsua – Montebelo Hotels |url=https://montebelohotels.com/parador-casa-insua/pt/home}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Casa da Ínsua – TheFork |url=https://www.thefork.pt/restaurante/casa-da-insua-r718025}}
- Loja Social de Penalva do Castelo – Municipal initiative to support families in need.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Loja Social – Município de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/viver/servicos-g-acao-social/loja-social/}}
Population evolution
{{Historical populations
|title = Penalva do Castelo{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estatística |title=Recenseamentos Gerais da População |url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes}}
|1864|11710
|1878|12810
|1890|13252
|1900|13742
|1911|14042
|1920|13185
|1930|13404
|1940|14267
|1950|15028
|1960|13686
|1970|11283
|1981|10172
|1991|9166
|2001|9019
|2011|7956
|2021|7333
}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Number of inhabitants by age groupINE – http://censos.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=CENSOS&xpgid=censos_quadros |
| bgcolor="white"
! scope=col | ! scope=col | 1900 ! scope=col | 1911 ! scope=col | 1920 ! scope=col | 1930 ! scope=col | 1940 ! scope=col | 1950 ! scope=col | 1960 ! scope=col | 1970 ! scope=col | 1981 ! scope=col | 1991 ! scope=col | 2001 ! scope=col | 2011 ! scope=col | 2021 |
| bgcolor="white"
! scope=row | 0–14 years | 4 698 | 5 057 | 4 546 | 4 562 | 4 945 | 4 951 | 4 493 | 3 265 | 2 609 | 1 993 | 1 372 | 979 | 750 |
| bgcolor="white"
! scope=row | 15–24 years | 2 510 | 2 350 | 2 285 | 2 562 | 2 404 | 2 334 | 2 130 | 1 565 | 1 598 | 1 309 | 1 307 | 786 | 680 |
| bgcolor="white"
! scope=row | 25–64 years | 5 693 | 5 515 | 5 246 | 5 273 | 5 577 | 5 953 | 5 646 | 4 780 | 4 168 | 4 041 | 4 215 | 3 890 | 3 340 |
| bgcolor="white"
! scope=row | 65+ years | 840 | 1 064 | 959 | 1 080 | 1 178 | 1 380 | 1 417 | 1 435 | 1 797 | 1 823 | 2 125 | 2 301 | 2 563 |
Local products
- Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe – Apple variety originating from Esmolfe, medium-to-small size, juicy flesh and intense aroma.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |title=Produtos Locais – Município de Penalva do Castelo |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/visitar/gastronomia-g-produtos-locais/}}
- Queijo Serra da Estrela – Sheep’s-milk cheese using thistle as coagulant.
- Vinho do Dão – Signature wine of the region, from the Dão demarcated area.
Festivities
The Feira do Pastor e do Queijo, held since 1991, highlights local products such as Serra da Estrela cheese, Dão wine and the Bravo de Esmolfe apple.{{cite journal |date=31 January 2016 |number=263 |page=8 |periodical=Gazeta Rural |title=Feira do Pastor e do Queijo}}
There is also the Bravo de Esmolfe Apple Fair, held annually in October since 1996, promoting the autochthonous Bravo de Esmolfe apple and showcasing regional products such as Dão wine, Serra da Estrela cheese and local crafts.{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=XXVII Feira da Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe – Inscrições Abertas |url=https://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt/xxvii-feira-da-maca-bravo-de-esmolfe-inscricoes-abertas/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=XXVIII Feira da Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe – Visit Viseu Dão Lafões |url=https://www.visitviseudaolafoes.pt/eventos/xxviii-feira-da-maca-de-bravo-de-esmolfe/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=XXVII Feira da Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe – Turismo Centro Portugal |url=https://turismodocentro.pt/evento/feiramacabravoesmolfe/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Aldeias de Portugal na Feira da Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe |url=https://www.aldeiasdeportugal.pt/feira-da-maca-bravo-de-esmolfe/}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe espera oportunidade para conquistar mercados internacionais – RTP |url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/maca-bravo-esmolfe-espera-oportunidade-para-conquistar-mercados-internacionais_n87725}}
Notable people
- António Silva – Professional footballer, centre-back for Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the Portugal national football team.{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=SL Benfica |title=António Silva – Plantel Principal |url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/futebol/plantel-principal/antonio-s}}{{cite web|access-date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Federação Portuguesa de Futebol |title=António Silva – Jogador |url=https://www.fpf.pt/pt/Jogadores/Jogador/playerId/869028/contextId/1619469}}
- José Carlos de Almeida Couto – Former footballer and coach closely linked to Sport Clube Penalva do Castelo, later focused on youth training; holds a degree in Physical Education with academic research on the educational context of Penalva do Castelo.{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Estudo centrado em alunos do 9.º e 12.º anos de escolaridade de Penalva do Castelo – UTAD |url=https://catalogo.biblioteca.utad.pt/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?limit=subject%3AFcdef&offset=540&q=su%253ATeses&sort_by=relevance_dsc&sort_by=relevance_dsc}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Competições – Federação Portuguesa de Futebol |url=https://resultados.fpf.pt/Match/GetMatchInformation?matchId=2100548}}
- João Aurélio – Professional footballer who began his youth career at Sport Clube Penalva do Castelo, later played for Nacional da Madeira, Vitória de Guimarães and Moreirense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=João Aurélio – Wikipédia |url=https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo%C3%A3o_Aur%C3%A9lio}}{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=«Manuel Machado é o meu pai do futebol» – A Bola |url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/manuel-machado-e-o-meu-pai-do-futebol-joao-aurelio-2023080911371803574}}
- Bruno Loureiro – Midfielder from Viseu who made his senior debut at Sport Clube Penalva do Castelo (2008–2012), later played for Académico de Viseu, Farense and Polish side Pogoń Szczecin.{{cite web|access-date=6 June 2025 |title=Bruno Loureiro – Wikipédia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Loureiro}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscat}}
- [http://www.cm-penalvadocastelo.pt Câmara Municipal de Penalva do Castelo]
- [https://www.academia.edu/4996639/TERRIT%C3%93RIO_ELITES_E_GOVERNAN%C3%87A_Penalva_do_Castelo_em_finais_do_Antigo_Regime_1750_1834_Vol_I TERRITÓRIO, ELITES E GOVERNANÇA – Penalva do Castelo em finais do Antigo Regime (1750–1834), Vol I, by Paulo Celso Monteiro]
{{Municipalities of Viseu}}
{{Authority control}}