VILA FRANCA DE XIRA

'Vila Franca de Xira' (pron. ) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 317.7 km² and a total population of 133,224 inhabitants. Situated on the west bank of the River Tagus, just 32 km north-east of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira is said to have been founded by French followers of Afonso Henriques around 1200.
The town is mostly famous for its bull-running festivals in July and October. Bulls are raised in the salty marshlands of the Ribatejo, which is also a notable breeding ground for the magnificent Lusitano horse, esteemed for its quick reflexes and maneuverability.
What to see. A number of brightly-coloured Portuguese bullfighting costumes are on display in the ethnographic museum on Praça de Touros. Nearby, the town's Misericórdia church features striking 18th-century azulejo glazed tiles.
Nearby. 3 km south of Vila Franca de Xira lies the Lezíria Grande Equestrian Centre, where visitors can watch stylish displays of the impressive Lusitano horses. The centre also stages typical bullfighting spectacles in its outdoor bullring. Visitors can ride Lusitano horses and take dressage lessons at the Quinta de São Sebastião, a sprawling estate at Arruda dos Vinhos, 11 km west of Vila Franca de Xira.
The municipality is composed of 11 parishes, and is located in the District of Lisbon.
The present Mayor is Maria Luz Rosinha, elected by the Socialist Party.

Contents

Parishes

External links

Parishes

★ Alhandra

★ Alverca do Ribatejo

★ Cachoeiras

★ Calhandriz

★ Castanheira do Ribatejo

★ Forte da Casa

★ Póvoa de Santa Iria

★ São João dos Montes

★ Sobralinho

★ Vialonga

★ Vila Franca de Xira

External links

★ Vila Franca de Xira Municipality

★ Photos from Vila Franca de Xira