Linhares (Paredes de Coura)

Infobox_Parish_pt
official_name = Linhares
image_coat_of_arms =
Municipality = Paredes de Coura
area_total = 5.3
population_total = 230 (2001)
population_density = 43.4
website = none
footnotes =

Linhares is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Paredes de Coura. It has a population of 230 inhabitants, living in a total area of 5.3 km². The population density is 43.4/km². The historic village is situated 820m above sea level, and overlooks the river Mondego in the valley below. The source of the river is near the village. The village is situated on the western side of the Serra da Estrela. The high altitude and warm climate make this an ideal venue for paragliding. The Open Championship is held every year in August.

History

This is the home town of Lusitanians, the Iberian tribe from whom the Portuguese are descended.

The Visigoths and later the Moors settled here, knowing that they could watch over the whole of the surrounding area. Linhares became part of Portugal in the time of D. Afonso Henriques, who granted its first charter in 1169. Despite the town’s strategic position, on a moonlit night in the year 1189, forces from León and Castile invaded the region in preparation for an attack on the castle of Celorico. Linhares rushed to its defence and the enemy army, seeing its rearguard surrounded, took flight. On the village’s coat of arms there is an engraving of a crescent and five stars, in remembrance of that night of the full moon long ago.

The parish church igreja matriz is of Romanesque origin. Inside there are three valuable paintings by the great Portuguese master Vasco Fernandes.