Portalegre

Capital of Portalegre district, east-central Portugal; population (2001 est) 24,400.

Initially a Roman settlement, Portalegre was originally called Ammaia and was first mentioned in Roman documentation now held at the city's municipal museum. In 1259 the village was granted its charter as Portalegre, only 50 years after the formation of the Kingdom of Portugal. Following skirmishes between Muslims and Christians, the settlement was fortified against attack in an effort to protect Portugal from the Moors. In 1549 a papal brief was granted to create a diocese in Portalegre. In 1640 the city was one of the first to recognize the independence of Portugal from Spain.