View source for Pinhel

{{for|the wine|Pinhel wine}}
{{Infobox Portuguese subdivision
| type            = municipality
|official_name      = Pinhel
|image_flag         = Pt-pnh1.png
|flag_border        = no
|image_shield       = Crest of Pinhel municipality (Portugal).png
|image_skyline      = Pinhel 33 by-dpc.jpg
|image_caption      = 
|image_location     = LocalPinhel.svg
|region             = [[Centro Region, Portugal|Centro]]
|CIM                = [[Beiras e Serra da Estrela]]
|district           = [[Guarda District|Guarda]]
|parishes           = [[#Geography|18]]
|leader_name        = Rui Manuel Saraiva Ventura
|leader_party       = [[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|PSD]]
|coordinates        = {{coord|40|47|N|7|4|W|type:adm1st_region:PT_dim:100000|display=inline,title}}
|elevation          = 
|elevation_min      = 150
|elevation_max      = 925
|area_total         = 484.52
|population_as_of   = 2011
|population_total   = 9627
|patron             = [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Nossa Senhora do Castelo]]
|postal_code        = 6400
|area_code          = 271 
|website            = http://www.cm-pinhel.pt
}}
'''Pinhel''' ({{IPA|pt|piˈɲɛl|-|Pt-pt Pinhel FF.ogg}}) is a [[concelho|municipality]], former Catholic bishopric and present Latin [[titular see]] in the [[Centro, Portugal|central]] subregion of [[Beira Interior Norte]], in Portugal. The municipality population in 2011 was 9,627,<ref name=ine>[http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xlang=en&xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0005889&contexto=pi&selTab=tab0 Instituto Nacional de Estatística]</ref> in an area of 484.52&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=dgt>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |title=Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país |access-date=2018-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105172426/http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ |archive-date=2018-11-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The urban centre of Pinhel had about 3500 residents in 2001.

== History ==
The origins of this municipality date back to the Calcolithic period, as many of the remnants of ancient cultures from this period remain: namely the rock-art engravings and paintings that line the Côa valley in Cidadelhe. Part of the historic [[Guarda (district)|district of Guarda]], the region obtained its name for many pine forests that covered the region's hills and mountains.

There are also several references to a pre-Roman or Roman presence, suggesting a continual occupancy since this period.

During the medieval period, owing to the defensive requirements of the fledgling nation, several fortified centres developed, including the Pinhel, but also along a line that included: Trancoso, Marialva, Guarda, Castelo Rodrigo, Almeida and Castelo Mendo. The [[Castle of Pinhel]] dates from the reign of King [[Denis of Portugal|Denis]] and the keep tower from his descendant, King [[Manuel I of Portugal|Manuel I]]. Pinhel's strategic position, along the frontier with Spain, made the monarchs of Portugal retain many of these fortifications, as well as allowing the development of their territorial claims.

The historical centre, with its narrow roadways, were adapted from the morphology of the terrain, with many patrimonial references to the medieval and modern eras. The homes of the city of Pinhel, some dating from the 16th century, includes some lost references to the presence of a Jewish population at one time, such as along the ''Rua de Santa Maria''. Pinhel was, for a long time, the seat of its own diocese, before being incorporated into the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Guarda, Portugal|Diocese of Guarda]].

The 17th and 18th century were periods of growth for the region, dominated the construction of estates, scattered in many of the historic corners of the municipality, some monumental and decorative.

The urbanized area of Pinhel, the city of Pinhel, was elevated to this status in 1770.

== Ecclesiastical history ==
In 1770.08.25 a bishopric was established as Diocese of Pinhel / Pinhelen(sis) (Latin adjective), on territory split off from the [[Diocese of Lamego]], apparently as [[suffragan]] of the Metropolitan [[Archdiocese of Braga]].
The Church of the Saviour (Portuguese: Igreja do Salvador) served as [[cathedral]], until its demolition and substitution as such in 1797 by the [[Church of São Luís (Pinhel)|convent church of St. Louis]] (Portuguese: Igreja de São Luís) as ordered by bishop Don Bernardo Bernardino Beltrão Freire.

It was suppressed on 1881.09.30, its territory being merged into the [[Diocese of Guarda]].

=== Residential Bishops of Pinhel ===
* João Rafael de Mendonça (1771.06.17 – 1771.07.29), next Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Porto]] (Portugal) (1771.07.29 – death 1793.06.06)
* Cristóvão de Almeida Soares (1773.03.08 – death 1782.02.11)
* José António Pinto de Mendonça Arrais (1782.12.16 – 1797.12.18), next Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Guarda|Guarda]] (Portugal) (1797.12.18 – death 1822.04.19)
* Bernardo Bernardino Beltrão Freire (1797.12.18 – death 1828.07.19)
* Leonardo de Sousa Brandão (1832.12.17 – death 1838)
*[[Apostolic Administrator]] Father António Mendes Bello (1874 – 1881), [[Titular Archbishop]] of [[Mytilene]] (1884.03.24 – 1884.11.13) as [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of [[Patriarchate of Lisboa]] (Lisbon, Portugal) (1884.03.24 – 1884.11.13), next [[Archbishop-Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Faro|Diocese of Faro]] (Algarve, Portugal) (1884.11.13 – 1907.12.19), Latin Patriarch of [[Patriarchate of Lisboa|Lisboa]] (Lisbon, Portugal) (1907.12.19 – 1929.08.05), created [[Cardinal-Priest]] of [[Ss. Marcellino e Pietro]] (1914.09.08 – 1929.08.05).

=== Titular see ===
In 1969 the diocese was nominally restored as Latin [[Titular bishopric]] of Pinhel (Português) / Pinhelen(sis) (Latin).

It has had the following incumbents, so far of the fitting Episcopal (lowest) order :
* Thomas Kiely Gorman (1969.08.22 – resigned 1971.01.21) on emeritate, formerly Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno|Reno]] (USA) (1931.04.24 – 1952.02.08), Titular Bishop of [[Rhasus]] (1952.02.08 – 1954.08.29) as [[Coadjutor Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas–Fort Worth|Dallas–Fort Worth]] (Texas, USA) (1952.02.08 – 1954.08.29), succeeding as last Bishop of Dallas–Fort Worth (1954.08.29 – 1969.08.09), restyled 'first' Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas|Dallas]] (USA) (1969.08.09 – 1969.08.22); died 1980
* Mervyn Alban Alexander (1972.03.08 – 1974.12.20) as [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton|Diocese of Clifton]] (England, UK) (1972.03.08 – 1974.12.20), succeeding as Bishop of Clifton (1974.12.20 – retired 2001.02.27); died 2010
* Hugo Mark Gerbermann, [[Maryknoll Fathers]] (M.M.) (1975.07.22 – death 1996.10.19) as Auxiliary Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio|Archdiocese of San Antonio]] (USA) (1975.07.22 – 1982.06.30) and on emeritate; previously Titular Bishop of [[Amathus in Palæstina]] (1962.06.06 – 1967.12.23) as only [[Bishop-Prelate]] of [[Territorial Prelature of Huehuetenango]] ([[Guatemala]]) (1961.08.08 – 1967.12.23) promoted first Bishop of Huehuetenango (1967.12.23 – 1975.07.22)
* Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente (1999.11.06 – 2007.02.22) as Auxiliary Bishop of [[Lisboa Patriarchate]] (Portugal) (1999.11.06 – 2007.02.22), next Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Porto|Porto]] (Portugal) (2007.02.22 – 2013.05.18), Vice-President of Episcopal Conference of Portugal (2011 – 2013.06.19), Latin Patriarch of [[Lisbon Patriarchate]] (Portugal) (2013.05.18 – ...), President of Episcopal Conference of Portugal (2013.06.19 – ...), created [[Cardinal-Priest]] of [[S. Antonio in Campo Marzio]] (2015.02.14 [2015.06.14] – ...)
* Guillermo Martín Abanto Guzmán  (2009.01.30 – 2012.10.30) as Auxiliary Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima|Archdiocese of Lima]] (Peru) (2009.01.30 – 2012.10.30), next [[Military Ordinary]] of [[Military Ordinariate of Peru|Peru]] (Peru) (2012.10.30 – retired 2013.07.27)
* Jorge Estrada Solórzano (2013.05.28 – ...), Auxiliary Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of México|Archdiocese of (Ciudad) México]] ([[Mexico]]), no previous prelature.

== Geography ==
The municipality of Pinhel is geographically delimited, in its entirety para two waterways: the ''Ribeira do Massueime'' (in the west) and east by the [[Côa River]]. It is located in the central part of the district of Guarda and confined by the municipalities of [[Almeida Municipality|Almeida]], [[Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Municipality|Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo]], [[Vila Nova de Foz Côa Municipality|Vila Nova de Foz Côa]], [[Meda Municipality|Meda]], [[Trancoso Municipality, Portugal|Trancoso]] and [[Guarda Municipality, Portugal|Guarda]]. The area includes a superficial area of {{convert|485|km2|mi2}}, divided into 18 civil parishes, as well as one urban parish, the city/seat of Pinhel.

The municipality is accessed by a rail-line, the Vila Franca das Naves line for {{convert|12|km|mi}}, by the A25 roadway (connecting Pinhel and Pínzio, and internationally by its connection to Vilar Formoso, {{convert|34|km|mi}}.

The northern part of the municipality is part of the [[Prehistoric Rock-Art Site of the Côa Valley]], an archaeological and geological park known for its inscribed rock formations, created by primitive cultures along the Côa valley. This area, along with [[Foz Coa]] has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for these primitive engravings.

Pinhel is surrounded by [[Guarda Municipality, Portugal|Guarda]], [[Trancoso Municipality, Portugal|Trancoso]], [[Almeida, Portugal|Almeida]], [[Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo]], [[Mêda]] and [[Vila Nova de Foz Côa]], all those municipalities of the [[Guarda (district)|district of Guarda]].

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Pinhel, altitude: {{convert|606|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|metric first = yes
|single line = Yes

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 74
|Feb precipitation mm = 64
|Mar precipitation mm = 58
|Apr precipitation mm = 57
|May precipitation mm = 52
|Jun precipitation mm = 32
|Jul precipitation mm = 14
|Aug precipitation mm = 11
|Sep precipitation mm = 38
|Oct precipitation mm = 65
|Nov precipitation mm = 76
|Dec precipitation mm = 81
|year precipitation mm =

|source 1 = Portuguese Environment Agency<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly Precipitation Pinhel |url=https://snirh.apambiente.pt/index.php?idMain=1&idItem=1.1 |publisher=APA |access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
}}

===Parishes===
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 18 civil parishes (''[[freguesia (Portugal)|freguesias]]''):<ref>{{cite web|title=Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 94-95|url=http://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/2013/01/01901/0000200147.pdf |accessdate=29 July 2014|author=Diário da República|author-link=Diário da República|language=Portuguese|format=pdf}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Alto do Palurdo
* Alverca da Beira / Bouça Cova
* [[Atalaia e Safurdão]]
* Ervedosa
* Freixedas
* Lamegal
* Lameiras
* Manigoto
* Pala
* Pinhel
* Pínzio
* Souro Pires
* Sul de Pinhel
* Terras de Massueime
* Valbom / Bogalhal
* Vale do Côa
* Vale do Massueime
* Vascoveiro
{{div col end}}

== Architecture ==
See above for church buildings.

In addition, the following buildings and structures have been classified as national patrimony:
* [[Castle of Pinhel]] ({{langx|pt|Castelo de Pinhel}}).

== Notable people ==
* [[José Dias Coelho]] (1923 in Pinhel – 1961) a Portuguese painter and sculptor, an anti-fascist and member of the [[Portuguese Communist Party|PCP]]

== See also ==
* [[List of Catholic dioceses in Portugal]]
* [[Pinhel wine]]
* [[Pinhel IPR]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources and external links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t1395.htm GCatholic, with Google satellite photo - episcopal see of Pinhel]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/1419767/ Photos from Pinhel]
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/europe/5696.htm GCatholic, with Google satellite photo - Igreja de São Luís]

{{Municipalities of Guarda}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pinhel| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Guarda District]]
[[Category:Cities in Portugal]]