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Matosinhos (pron. IPA: [mɐtu'ziɲuʃ]) is a Portuguese city and municipality. It is bordered to the south by the city of Porto and lies within the Greater Porto subregion. The city proper has a population of 45,703.[1] The municipality has a population of 168,451 in 10 parishes. Many people have recently moved from the surrounding area to live there. The city was the birth place of the architect Siza Vieira. It was also where poet Florbela Espanca died: a local library is named after her. Matosinhos is located on the seacoast and is a commercial and industrial centre in the Porto Metropolitan Area. Matosinhos has good summer weather, nice beaches, but cool water temperature.
[edit] History and landmarks
When Portugal was born in the 12th century, Matosinhos already existed - It was called at that time Vila de Matesinum. One of the first official records referring to Matusiny dates from 1258, the result of Afonso III inquiries. At that time Matosinhos was a humble place, part of the parish of Sandim. Matosinhos has some local landmarks such as Castelo Do Queijo and Forte de Nossa Senhora Da Conceição, this one in Leça da Palmeira.
In 2005, the municipality funded a public sculpture to be built in the Waterfront Plaza of Matosinhos. The resulting sculpture is entitled She Changes [2] by American artist, Janet Echelman, and spans the height of 50x150x150 meters.
[edit] Economy
The international Leixões seaport and a large oil refinery of Galp Energia, are located in Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos. EFACEC, a leading Portuguese company in the electromechanics industry, is headquartered in the city. Pedro Hispano Hospital (after Pedro Hispano), is one of the most comprehensive state-run hospitals of Portugal, and serves the entire Porto Metropolitan Area.
[edit] Sports
Matosinhos municipality is home to Leixões Sport Club, Leça FC and other minor clubs.
[edit] List of Matosinhos teams
[edit] Parishes
[edit] References
- ^ UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004 Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)
- ^ [1]Sculpture Magazine July-August 2005
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