Golegã () is a town and municipality in Santarém District, Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 5,913,including the parish Pombalinho, that changed from the municipality of Santarém to Golegã in 2013Instituto Nacional de Estatística in an area of 84.32 km².
The present Mayor is Rui Manuel Lince Singeis Medinas Duarte, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.
Historical sights The main historical sight of Golegã is its main church Igreja Matriz da Golegã, built in the early 16th century in Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) style. The remarkable main portal and the ribbed vaulting inside the main chapel are its most important artistic features. Near Golegã village is located the Quinta da Cardiga, a manor house with its origin in a 12th-century donation to the Knights Templar. Originally the site of a castle, the property was remodelled in the 16th century into a Renaissance rural palace.
Geography Parishes Administratively, the municipality is divided into 3 civil parishes (freguesias): Azinhaga Golegã Pombalinho
Population Population of Golegã municipality 1801 1849 1900 1930 1960 1981 1991 2001 2011 2452 2866 5694 6325 6150 5963 6072 5710 5913
Economy
The main agricultural productions in the municipality are maize and Beta vulgaris. The area is a reputed animal breeding center and an internationally renowned cattle and horse market. Golegã is considered the capital of the horse (Capital do Cavalo), and it has been the site for the gathering of breeders since at least the 18th century. Two fairs take place every November in Golegã: The Feira Nacional do Cavalo (National Horse Fair) and the Feira Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano (International Lusitano Horse Fair), dedicated to the Pure Blood Lusitano.
Notable persons Carlos Relvas (1838 in Golegã – 1894) a wealthy landowner and amateur bullfighter. José Relvas (1858 in Golegã – 1929) a politician and 70th Prime Minister of Portugal in 1919. José Saramago (1922 in Azinhaga – 2010) writer, the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature. Manuel Bento (1948 in Golegã – 2007) football goalkeeper with 63 caps for Portugal including participation in the 1984 UEFA European Football Championship and the 1986 FIFA World Cup as well as 324 club caps, mainly for S.L. Benfica.
References
External links Municipality official website Feira da Golega.com Feira nacionale do cavalo (photo reporting) Photos from Golegã