Olhalvo
Olhalvo (Portuguese pronunciation: [oˈʎalvu]) is a parish of the municipality of Alenquer, in western Portugal. Its population in 2011 was 1,907. Olhalvo has an area of 8.30 km².
Heritage
Significant buildings include:
- Church of "Nossa Senhora da Encarnação", XVII century.
- Convent of Carmelitas Descalços" construction began in 1646, and has been under private ownership since 1941.
- Chapel of "Senhor dos Aflitos", belonged to "Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição", in 1663. It was sold to private owners in 1873.
- Cruzeiro
- Fontain
Olhalvo supports many cultural activities; the following groups are active:
- A Philharmonic Band, "Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Olhalvense", SFO, started activity in 1918
- Folk dance group "O Rancho Folclorico", since 1978, also within SFO
- Folk dance group "A Associação Recreativa da Pocariça", also active in sports
- Samba School, "Escola de Samba de Penafirme da Mata"
- Folk music group "Noses com Vozes", within "Associação Alegres Olhares" related to traditional music.
Special events
- Pilgrimage from Olhalvo to Nazaré, "Círio de Olhalvo à Nossa Senhora da Nazaré"–started in the sixteenth century. It occurs each year in September, organized by the inhabitants of Olhalvand, Penafirme da Mata e Pocariça in rotation.
- Singing to the kings "Cantar dos Reis", on the night of 5 January a group of men sings in the streets a theme related to the kings visiting the newborn Jesus. Small paintings are made in the houses wishing a good year to the people.
- Annual festivities occur in September at Olhalvo's main square.
Localities within Olhalvo parish
Besides Olhalvo itself:
- Penafirme da Mata
- Casais da Lage
- Cruzeiro
- Pousoa
- Pocariça
- Casal Perdigoto
- Casal Das Surraipas
References
- ^ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
- ^ "Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país". Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.