Montijo () is a city and municipality in Setúbal District in Portugal. Its name was Aldeia Galega do Ribatejo or simply Aldeia Galega until 1930. The population in 2021 was 55,732, in an area of 348.62&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The city of Montijo proper had a population of 25,719 in 2001.

It is one of the few municipalities in Portugal without territorial continuity; that is, its component parts are not conjoined. It is located in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

History

Montijo was known as Aldeia Galega until July 6, 1930, in spite of the fact that it was a small town and no longer a village. It was elevated to city status on August 14, 1985.

Paleolithic vestiges of human settlement suggest that the region was occupied into the pre-history. Yet, the first historical references date to the 12th century, in 1186, with the donations of religious and hereditary lands to Paio Peres, that initiated formal occupation.

Transport

The Vasco da Gama Bridge, inaugurated in 1998, connects Montijo with the capital city of Lisbon. Numerous roads, including the IC13, provide access to the south, east and west of Portugal.

Although the train service via the Ramal do Montijo rail line was discontinued, Montijo maintains a network of public transportation that connects it to other nearby major cities and villages by bus and by a river service connecting it with Lisbon.

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 5 civil parishes (freguesias):

  • Atalaia e Alto Estanqueiro-Jardia
  • Canha
  • Montijo e Afonsoeiro
  • Pegões
  • Sarilhos Grandes

Panorama

Notable people

  • Fialho Gouveia (1935–2004), TV entertainment pioneer and former radio host
  • Jorge Peixinho (1940–1995), composer, pianist and conductor
  • Dulce Pontes (born 1969), songwriter and pop, folk and classical music singer; helped revive fado
  • Rosinha (born 1971), Pimba singer, songwriter and accordion player
  • Catarina Marcelino (born 1971), anthropologist, politician and Govt. minister

Sport

  • Custódio Pinto (1942–2004), footballer
  • Paulo Futre (born 1966), footballer
  • Ricardo (born 1976), footballer

International relations

Montijo has no twin towns, but has international cooperation protocols with:

  • Água Grande, São Tomé and Príncipe, since 2013
  • Santa Catarina, Cape Verde, since 2010
  • Svoge, Bulgaria, since 2010

References

  • Town Hall official website
  • Photos from Montijo