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Ponte da Barca, Vila Nova de Muía e Paço Vedro de Magalhães United Commune (Portugal)

Last modified: 2015-11-20 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: ponte da barca(freguesia) | vila nova de muia | paco vedro de magalhaes | bridge | ferry | quina | tower | cartwheel | billet | chequered | tower | mitre |
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União das Freguesias de Ponte da Barca, Vila Nova de Muía e Paço Vedro de Magalhães, Concelho de Ponte da Barca, Distrito de Viana do Castelo


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Former Ponte da Barca commune (until 2013)

[Ponte da Barca commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 23 Nov 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain blue field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Argent with base wavy of Azure and Argent, issuant from base a Roman bridge Sable masoned Argent, beneath its arch a rowing boat Or with oar of the same, in central chief an inescutcheon Azure charged with five plates set in quincunx. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials "FREGUESIA DE PONTE DA BARCA".
Meaning:
"Ponte da Barca" means "ferry bridge", which makes the arms partially canting. The inescutcheon is probably alluding to King Dom Manuel I, who granted town rights in 1513.
António Martins-Tuválkin and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 14 May 2007/23 Nov 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 6 February 2003
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


Presentation of Ponte da Barca

Ponte da Barca Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Ponte da Barca Municipality (q.v.); it had 2371 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 1.0 km². The Roman commander Decimus Iunius Brutus Callaicus conquered the region during a campaign in 137 BC. A nearby location was since then known as Anobrega and was seat of a district known as Terra de Nóbrega until the Middle Ages. It gained the rights of a town in 1125 by Teresa of Castile. Since the Portuguese independence in 1139, the location was visited by many pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela. They had to cross the Lima River by a ferry. In 1220 the name "Barca" (=ferry) was mentioned first in the district. After a bridge had been erected, the location was known as "Ponte da Barca" (=ferry bridge) since 1386 and became seat of the Terra de Nóbrega district, which later on got the name of the town.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


Former Vila Nova de Muía commune (until 2013)

[Vila Nova de Muía commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Gules with base wavy of Argent and Azure, an embattled tower Argent masoned Azure with port and window of the same, flanked by two cartwheels Or, in chief a billet Azure fimbriated Argent. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials "VILA NOVA DE MUÍA".
Source: Freguesias de Portugal
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


Presentation of Vila Nova de Muía

Vila Nova de Muía Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Ponte da Barca Municipality (q.v.); it had 1034 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 5.3 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


Former Paço Vedro de Magalhães commune (until 2013)

[Paço Vedro de Magalhães commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by , 23 Nov 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain dark blue field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

Coat of arms

Shield chequered of Gules and Argent, in chief a mitre Or garnished Gules with scarves Or, issuant from base an embattled tower Azure masoned Argent with port Or. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials "PAÇO VEDRO DE MAGALHÃES"
Meaning:
The chequered shield is taken from the arms of the Magalhães kin, playing a role in the local history and being part of the commune's name. The mitre is an attribute of St. Martin, Bishop of Tour, the local patron saint. The tower is representing an old court (Port.: paço velho or Paço Vedro)
Source: this webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015

Draft of flag and arms made by Carlos Alberto Mouteira Fernandes in 2002. The draft was emitted by Comissão de Heráldica da Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses (CHAAP) on 17 September 2002 and approved by the local council on 14 December 2002
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


Presentation of Paço Vedro de Magalhães

Paço Vedro de Magalhães Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Ponte da Barca Municipality (q.v.); it had 967 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 2.6 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2015


back to Ponte da Barca Communes click here