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Ourem in
Central Portugal has a population of around 12,000 and
was originally a settlement founded by invading Moors.
The area
was reconquered by Christians in the 12th century and
was donated by Portugal's first king, Alfonso Henriques,
to his daughter in 1180 to help promote the settlement.
The
castle of Ourem sits atop a hillside and dominates the
landscape and the modern day town. It was during the
15th century Ourem began to prosper and the fourth count
of Ourem - Count Afonso - remodelled the fortification
to house his ever expanding entourage.
The
castle, was damaged during the enormous earthquake of
1755. The castle, which is now in ruins, is still a
popular tourist attraction and some of the impressive
towers, which provide ideal lookout posts over the
surrounding countryside are still in tact. After the
earthquake the town of Ourem went into decline. |
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The
origins of Ourem's name is swathed in mystery, however
the popular myth involves a Christian knight kidnapping
a moorish princess by the name of Ourena. The princess
is alleged to have fallen in love with the knight,
married and converted to Christianity. As a gift to his
new bride the knight is said to have named the town
after her.
Ourem is
also a municipality and is made up of 18 parishes, which
are: Alburitel, Atouguia, Casal dos Bernardos, Caxarias,
Cercal, Espite, Fatima, Formigais, Freixianda,
Gondemaria, Matas, Nossa Senhora da Piedade, Nossa
Senhora das Misericordias, Olival, Ribeira do Farrio,
Rio de Couros, Seica and Urqueira. |
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Amenities in Facilities in Ourem |
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Ourem has a
wide variety of facilities and amenities including
supermarkets, builders' merchants, garages, banks, post
office, health centres, shops, cafes, restaurant, disco,
schools, bus station, council offices and parks. |
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Map of
Ourem, central Portugal |
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