Miranda do Douro (), officially the City of Miranda do Douro (; , ), is a city and a municipality in the district of Bragança, northeastern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 7,482, in an area of 487.18&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The town proper had a population of 1,960 in 2001. Nicknamed Cidade Museu ("Museum City") of the Trás-os-Montes region, it is located 86 kilometres from Bragança, preserving many of its medieval and Renaissance-era traditions and architecture. It is the main municipality where the Mirandese language survives within the Tierra de Miranda cultural region, which enjoys official status in Portugal, in addition to cultural and historical discontinuity with the rest of the Portuguese state. The town is located on the border with Spain, with the Douro River separating the two countries. The nearest town in Spain is Zamora.

The present mayor is Artur Manuel Rodrigues Nunes (Socialist). The municipal holiday is on 10 July.

History

thumb|left|Bishop Palace

The origin of Miranda do Douro as a populated place is still discussed by historians, but archeologist discoveries give evidence that inhabitants had been living there during the Bronze Age. Around AD 716, the Moors defeated local Visigothic tribes, and occupied some of the lands, calling the area Mir-Hândul.

By the late 11th century, León possessed the region as a stepping-stone to Portugal.

Miranda was founded on 18 December 1286, and immediately elevated to the status of vila (), with one of its prerequisites declaring that the administrative division would be a Crown fief. Summers tend to be dry and warm; while winters are rigorously cold with some snowfall, The summer is completely opposite: hot and dry with maximum temperatures hovering around .

Climate

Miranda do Douro has a hot summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa) with some continental influences due to its long distance from the sea. Its climate is similar to that of Bragança, although it is drier, as it is further from the Atlantic Ocean and consequently less affected by Atlantic depressions.

Summers are hot, with temperatures exceeding and occasionally . Winters are cool, but cold by Portuguese standards, with temperatures frequently below and on cold nights it can drop below . On average, there are 58 days of frost per year.

Human geography

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 13 civil parishes (freguesias):

  • Constantim e Cicouro ()
  • Duas Igrejas ()
  • Genísio ()
  • Ifanes e Paradela ()
  • Malhadas
  • Miranda do Douro ()
  • Palaçoulo ()
  • Picote ()
  • Póvoa ()
  • São Martinho de Angueira ()
  • Sendim e Atenor ()
  • Silva e Águas Vivas ()
  • Vila Chã de Braciosa ()

thumb|200px|The municipal seat and principal town of the municipality of Miranda.

Twin towns – sister cities

Miranda do Douro is twinned with:

  • Aranda de Duero, Spain
  • Bimenes, Spain

thumb|200px|"Museu da Terra de Miranda" (museum of the lands of Miranda).

Culture

The city has been isolated from the rest of the country for many centuries, so the ancestral way of life is still vivid in the traditions and even in the language (see below). Apart from the distance, the weather conditions are also an adversary, as it is very cold and snowy in winter, and very dry and hot in summer.

Gastronomy is one of the local hallmarks, well within the tradition of Trás-os Montes. "Posta à Mirandesa", a heavy, thick steak, is the traditional dish, known and imitated through the rest of the country. The wine from the region has a high alcoholic graduation (17–18°) and matches the regional cuisine well.

The city's old quarter, with the cathedral, dates back to the Middle Ages. Most houses are small and one story high. Inside the old city proper lie the town hall and museum, the "Museu da Terra de Miranda" (museum of the lands of Miranda), which has displays of archaeological findings, farm life, local clothing, and traditional masks.

The city has no industries but depends on commercial activity, mainly the sale of house textiles and cutlery from the village of Palaçoulo. Spaniards come in great number on holidays and weekends. There are several hotels, among them the Pousada de Santa Catarina, which overlooks the Douro River.

Mirandese language

thumb|200px|Sign outside the [[Cathedral of Miranda do Douro in the Mirandese language.]]

The surrounding area is home to the speakers of Mirandese (Mirandês), a language of the Astur-Leonese family, related to Asturian and Leonese. Mirandese was recognised in 1999 by the Portuguese state as co-official with Portuguese for local matters, and an estimate of between 10,000 and 15,000 people speak the language.

thumb|200px|Municipality.

Tourism

Miranda do Douro is in the middle of Douro International Natural Park, also known as Parque Natural do Douro Internacional in Portuguese, which is a protected natural area located in northeastern Portugal and northwestern Spain. The natural park promotes the unique ecological and cultural heritage of the region.

The park is situated along the Douro River, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain for a significant portion of its course. It covers an area of approximately 85,000 hectares (210,000 acres), with about two-thirds of the park located in Portugal and the remaining third in Spain.

The walking trail from Miranda do Douro to São João das Arribas is a beautiful route in Portugal that offers stunning views of the Douro River and the surrounding landscapes. The trail starts in Miranda do Douro and leads to São João das Arribas, which is known for its impressive cliffs overlooking the Douro River.

Notable citizens

  • Leonel Vieira (born 1969) film director in late 20th and early 21st century; filmed the video Rosa Branca for fadist Mariza.

See also

  • Kingdom of León
  • Leonese language
  • Planalto Mirandes IPR
  • Terra de Miranda

References

  • City government official website
  • Photos from Miranda do Douro
  • Pauliteiros de Miranda Mirandese culture (in Portuguese)