Last modified: 2015-05-02 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: baixa da banheira | vale da amoreira | flags(5) | ivy | base(wavy) | mulberry(tree) | oil lamps(2) |
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![[Baixa da Banheira commune (-2013)]](../images/p/pt-mtabv-bb.gif)
2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 14 Apr 2005
It is a fairly untypical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a quartered field (town rank) of blue and white.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Apr 2005
![[Baixa da Banheira commune CoA (-2013)]](../images/p/pt-mtabv-bb).gif)
image by Sérgio Horta, 14 Apr 2005
The arms are argent, five flags, two azure, one purpure, two gules, their staffs sable, linked by a salitre of ivy; base wavy of azure and argent. Mural crown with four visible towers (town rank). White scroll with black capitals reading "BAIXA DA BANHEIRA".
Meaning:
"Banheira" means currently "bathtub" and etymologicaly "bath place", given "bath" also a broader meaning. It has to do with the local Tagus estuarine marshes (where river bathes the land). However, the communal coat of arms (and flag) of Baixa da Banheira includes not less than five flags, standing not for this or that historical ruler (like in some southeast US local flags). Flags and ivy are symbolizing the different origins of those, who constituted the commune, and the strength and importance of the Associative Popular Movement. (Movimento Associativo e Popular) for the social development of the commune. Tha base wavy representinging the Tejo River.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Apr 2005
Flag and arms were approved on 9 July 1996, published in Diário da República: III Série.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Apr 2005
![[Baixa da Banheira commune error]](../images/p/pt-mtabv-bb!.gif)
2:3 image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 1 July 2010
However, the communal website shows on its symbols page the flag with swapped quadrants here: < http://baixadabanheira.no.sapo.pt/baixa.html >. Photos show blue upper hoist, like the official version and as rendered by Sérgio Horta, and unlike the images they show in both versions of the communal website. These photos are hosted at the official website, too, and depict facilities sponsored by the Communal Government (Junta de Freguesia) flying flags furnished by them, I suppose.
(editorial note: indeed the blazon given on the communal webpage displays a white upper hoist quarter, while a photo on the same site displays a flag with blue upper hoist quarter; see:
António Martins-Tuválkin, 1 July 2010
Baixa da Banheira Commune has 2,21 km². and 22 909 inhabitants as of 1991; it is part of Moita Municipality.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 26 Oct 2008
![[Vale de Amoreira commune (until 2013)]](../images/p/pt-mtabv-va.gif)
2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 26 Apr 2015
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain green field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 Apr 2015
Shield Or, a mulberry tree eardicated Sable leaved Vert and fruited Purpure, in chief two oil lamps Gules affronty,de ouro, amoreira arrancada de negro, folhada de verde e frutada de púrpura; em chefe, duas candeias de vermelho, acesas do mesmo, a da dextra volvida. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "VALE DA AMOREIRA".
Meaning:
The mulberry tree (Port.: amoreira) is a canting element. The commune's name means "valley of mulberry tree".
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 Apr 2015
Published in Diário da República: III Série on 27 October 2001
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 Apr 2015
Vale de Amoreira Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Caminha Municipality (q.v.); it had 9864 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 2.3 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 Apr 2015
back to Moita Communes click here