Marinha Grande

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Marinha Grande
Municipality
Flag of Marinha Grande
Flag
Coat of arms of Marinha Grande
Coat of arms
LocalMarinhaGrande.svg
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country  Portugal
Region Centro
Subregion Pinhal Litoral
Intermunic. comm. Região de Leiria
District Leiria
Government
 • President Álvaro Pereira (PS)
Area
 • Total 187.25 km2 (72.30 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 38,681
 • Density 210/km2 (540/sq mi)
Time zone WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)
Website http://www.cm-mgrande.pt

Marinha Grande (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐˈɾiɲɐ ˈɣɾɐ̃d(ɨ)]) is a municipality in the Leiria District, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 38,681,[1] in an area of 187.25 km².[2] The city itself has a population of 30,000.

It is located right in the middle of the 700-year-old Leiria pine forest covering 100 square kilometres, and near excellent beaches such as Praia da Vieira, Nazaré, and São Pedro de Moel.

The present Mayor is Álvaro Pereira, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 3 civil parishes (freguesias):[3]

  • Marinha Grande
  • Moita
  • Vieira de Leiria

History

The Pinhal de Leiria forest was first planted in the 13th century by Dom Afonso III and expanded by Dom Dinis as a barrier against the sands and to supply timber to the maritime industry.

The Marinha Grande glass manufacturing industry was first established in the middle of the 18th century. The Royal Glass Factory (Real Fabrica de Vidros) was bought by an English entrepreneur William Stephens who developed the factory and the business under the protection of the Marques de Pombal. The wood from the pine forest was used to fuel the factories. The former palatial home of William Stephens now contains the Museu do Vidro da Marinha Grande which houses glassware from the 17th to the 20th century. In 1826, the factory was given to the state and became one of the country's main producers of traditionally made fine crystal.[4]

Economy

Marinha Grande is Portugal's biggest glass manufacturer, and it is also the European capital for the moulding industry, with 250 companies operating there, rightfully giving the town the nickname 'The Crystal City'.

The city is served by a highway and a train line. It is a 1 hour and 15 min drive away from Lisbon, only 10 min away from Leiria and 45 minutes to Coimbra.

Tourism

The pine forest is an aromatic forest and has waymarked paths for walkers. It has several campsites within it. There is a cycle route from Marinha Grande to São Pedro de Moel on the coast. There are tours around the glass works and to the glass museums.

Sports

Atlético Clube Marinhense is the local team, it plays at Estádio Municipal da Marinha Grande, a venue shared in past with former Primeira Liga club, U.D. Leiria.

Hugo Gaspar, notable Portuguese volleyball player was born in Vieira de Leiria.

References

External links