Aljustrel Municipality
Aljustrel (Portuguese pronunciation: [alʒuʃˈtɾɛl] ) is a town and a municipality in the Portuguese district of Beja. The population in 2011 was 9,257, in an area of 458.47 km. The present mayor is Nelson Domingos Brito, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is June 13.
History
During the Roman era, Aljustrel was known as Metallum Vispascense. It was occupied by the Moors but in 1235 the town was conquered from them by King D. Sancho II.
The first foral (charter) was only conceded by King Sancho in 1252.
A new foral was issued on 20 September 1510, by King D. Manuel I.
On 28 January 2013, the civil parishes of Aljustrel and Rio dos Minhos were aggregated into one local authority called Aljustrel (Decree 11-A/2013, Diário da República, Série 1, 19).
Geography
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 4 civil parishes:
- Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos
- Ervidel
- Messejana
- São João de Negrilhos
International relations
Aljustrel is twinned with:
- Hem, in the département of Nord, France