Montalegre

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Portugal - Brasões dos municípios portugueses

MONTALEGRE

District : Vila Real

Official blazon

Escudo de vermelho, castelo de prata lavrado e iluminado de azul de três torres quadradas, tendo a meio três balcões ou varandas na parte superior, uma ao centro e duas nos cunhais. O castelo acompanhado em chefe de duas cabeças de boi de raça barrosã, de ouro ornados de prata. Coroa mural de quatro torres de prata. Listel branco com a legenda de negro : " VILA DE MONTALEGRE ".

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 2, 1984.

The arms depicted here represent the castle of Montalegre, one of the oldest in Portugal, defending the northern frontier since at least the 12th century.

The two oxen symbolize the breed of cattle that is mative to the Barroso plateau (on which Montalegre is situated). Traditionally used in agricultural work, they also symbolize the vitality of each village in the council: most villages still own their "boi do povo" (people's bull, or communal bull) and in mid-summer there are bull and bull tournaments.

The river at the bottom is the river Cávado, which originates in Montalegre county.

Freguesias in Montalegre :

• Venda Nova

Literature : image send by Sergio Horta, background from Jorge P. Pires