imported>Markussep: new NUTS II region

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new NUTS II region

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{{Infobox Portuguese subdivision
|type = parish
|official_name = São Martinho do Porto
|image_skyline = S. Martinho do Porto Junho 2018-1.jpg
|image_caption =
|image_flag =
|image_shield =
|image_location =
|region = Oeste e Vale do Tejo
|CIM = [[Oeste (intermunicipal community)|Oeste]]
|district = [[Leiria District|Leiria]]
|municipality = [[Alcobaça, Portugal|Alcobaça]]
|coordinates = {{coord|39.513|-9.134|type:adm1st_region:PT_dim:50000|display=inline,title}}
|elevation =
|area_total = 14.64
|population_as_of = 2011
|population_total = 2868
|patron =
|area_code =
|postal_code =
|website =
}}
[[File:SMP September 2010-2a.jpg|right|thumb|The entrance of the bay, viewed from the North]]
[[File:Baía de São Martinho do Porto.jpg|right|thumb|Bay of São Martinho do Porto.]]
[[File:Coasts of Portugal (30936520024).jpg|right|thumb|Bay entrance up close]]
'''São Martinho do Porto''' is a civil parish in [[Alcobaça Municipality]] and in the [[Oeste Subregion|Oeste region]] of [[Portugal]]. The population in 2011 was 2,868,<ref name=ine>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xlang=en&xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0005889&contexto=pi&selTab=tab0|title=Statistics Portugal - Web Portal|website=www.ine.pt}}</ref> in an area of 14.64 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}}</ref> It was a town and county seat until 1855.

== History ==
The region constituted by the Serra da Pescaria and by the Bouro mountain constituted, in [[geological]] times, a single [[island]]. When it was divided it gave rise to the [[bay]] of São Martinho do Porto.

In historical times, the [[village]] was mentioned for the first time in a letter passed in 1257 by Friar Estevão Martins, 12th abbot of the [[Monastery of Alcobaça]]. The bay was the sea port of Alcobaça, where activities related to [[fishing]] and [[shipbuilding]] were developed. It had, in 1801, 932 [[inhabitants]]. In 1839 the parishes of Alfeizerão, Salir do Porto and Serra do Bouro were annexed. It had, in 1849, 3,596 inhabitants.

Given the local development and the construction of the [[pier]], already around 1885 the [[neighborhood]] of the [[beach]] came to remember a second village.

It was constituted has a [[Coast|seaside]] [[resort]] frequented by the [[nobility]] and the [[bourgeoisie]] since the end of the 19th century, becoming known as the "bidet of the marquees".<ref>{{cite web|URL = https://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/programas/perdidoseachados/2014-06-27-a-concha-do-oeste|title= ''The Western Shell''|date= 27 June 2014|accessdate= |author= |publisher= SIC Notícias}}</ref>

Currently the village is constituted by two distinct nuclei:
* The lower part, near the beach, directed for the [[tourist]] activity;
* The upper part, where the traditional [[dwellings]] and the [[Mother Church]] reside;

== Visitor attractions ==
{{main|Tourism in Portugal}}
The parish has one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, a bay shaped like a [[scallop]] with calm waters and fine white sand. According to the travel booking site eDreams, the "natural bay of clear and calm water and surrounded by diverse shops and restaurants offers the ideal conditions for a relaxed family day" and São Martinho do Porto is "perfect for the baths of children, while adults relax in the sand or have a drink on a terrace overlooking the sea".<ref>{{cite web|URL = http://www.gazetacaldas.com/51619/sao-martinho-e-a-melhor-praia-para-ir-em-familia-segundo-a-edreams/|title= São Martinho is the "best beach to go with family" according to eDreams|date= 21 August 2015|accessdate= |author= |publisher= Gazeta das Caldas}}</ref>

Although the commercial importance of the [[port]] has diminished, its tourist activity is dynamic during the summer season.

The bay is only connected to the sea by an opening only a few meters wide, so the waters are quiet, great for children and better still for competitions of [[sailing]], [[windsurfing]] or [[kayaking]]. The road by the sea, where parking is difficult, has numerous cafes, restaurants and terraces. A narrow [[Subway (underpass)|pedestrian tunnel]] gives direct access to the ocean from the dock area.

In the summer of 2014, São Martinho was visited by a [[Pinniped|seal]], probably coming from [[France]], [[England]] or [[Iceland]]. The animal became known as "Martinha" and was the "mascot" of the village that summer.<ref>{{cite web|URL = http://www.publico.pt/local/noticia/foca-do-norte-da-europa-e-atraccao-em-s-martinho-do-porto-1665022|title= Northern Europe seal is an attraction in S. Martinho do Porto|date= 31 July 2014|access-date= |author= |publisher= Público}}</ref>

Visitor attractions include Mother Church, a temple from the [[18th century]]. In its interior stands out, behind the [[altar]], a large [[canvas]], painted with oil, with the image of the [[miracle]] of São Martinho.
At the Chapel of Santo António, there is a small temple on the top of a hill. Its interior is simple, decorated with only two images: The patron's and the Virgin's. Outside, blue and white tile panels, representing the legend of the miracle of the formation of the "lake", the cove that forms before the entrance of the access bar to the bay of São Martinho do Porto.

== Points of interest ==
*[[Overlook|Viewpoint]] - Located on the Santo António [[hill]], offers a privileged view to the bay.<ref>{{cite web|URL = http://www.gazetacaldas.com/11541/largo-do-cruzeiro-requalificado-torna-se-miradouro-de-excelencia-de-sao-martinho-do-porto/|title= Requalified Largo do Cruzeiro becomes an excellent viewpoint of São Martinho do Porto|date= 13 May 2011|access-date= |author= |publisher= Gazeta das Caldas}}</ref>
*[[Lighthouse]] of the Santo António hill - In remote times next to a [[fort]] that defended the entrance of the bay, it is part of an orientation system for the sailors that includes two headlights located in the dunes, in front of the bar.<ref>{{cite web|URL = http://www.freguesiasaomartinhodoporto.pt/engine.php?cat=80|title= Lighthouse of the Santo António hill|date= |access-date= |author= |publisher= Website of the Parish of São Martinho do Porto}}</ref>
*Tunnel - It is a pleasant walk and the contemplation of the opposite sides of the tunnel provides a sublime experience. On one side, the calm waters of the Bay, on the other the rough waters of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] that hit with violence in the rocks.
*Garden of the Engineer Frederico Ulrich Square - Green leisure space dedicated to children.
*José Bento da Silva School - Inaugurated in 1883 with the purpose of training primary and secondary education, today it is the seat of [[Town Council]], Culture House José Bento da Silva, [[Library]] and [[Environmental quality|Environmental]] Defense Association of São Martinho do Porto.
*Viewpoint of the José Bento da Silva Square - Privileged view over the Bay and direct access to the Outeiro Elevator.
*Ruins (Salir do Porto) - [[Ruins]] of the artisanal [[Customs]] where the [[caravels]] that participated in the discoveries and conquests were built, in the reigns of [[D. Afonso V]] and [[D. João II]]. Here were also built part of the ships that took [[D. Sebastião]] to Alcácer Quibir.
*Little Slop (Salir do Porto) - It is a spring of fresh water that is born near the ocean. It is believed to be a miraculous water for many diseases, namely to have properties beneficial to skin problems.
*Dune (Salir do Porto) - Once the largest of [[Europe]], the Dune of Salir stands out in the landscape of São Martinho Bay, with an altitude of approximately 50m and 200m in length. The core of the Dune consists in part of a red sandstone, vestige of an older [[fossil]] dune.
[[File:SMP April 2010-3a.jpg|thumb|center|700px|São Martinho do Porto: Panoramic view of the beach and village]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.visit-sao-martinho-do-porto.com/en São Martinho do Porto website]
*[https://www.rental-retreats.co.uk/sao-martinho-do-porto-portugal/ Travel Guide to Sao Martinho by Author Colleen Mariotti]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sao Martinho Do Porto}}
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Portugal]]
[[Category:Freguesias of Alcobaça, Portugal]]

São Martinho do Porto - Revision history

imported>Markussep: new NUTS II region