Querença

Template:Template other Querença () is a former civil parish in the municipality of Loulé, eastern Algarve, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Querença, Tôr e Benafim. Located north of Loulé proper, Querença is an area of with a population of 759 inhabitants (based on 2011 census).

History

Due to the creation of the parish of Tôr, in 1997, Querença was reduced in its geographic extent.

Geography

File:Querenca-Bachlauf -hinter-Fonte-Benemola.JPG

The waters of the Fonte da Benémola, a marsh-like river course

Situated on a hilltop, that provides the parish with its name, the parish is in the transitional area between the Barrocal and the mountains. Many of the parishes' homes descend these slopes, in many directions.

The caverns of Salustreira, with a length of and height, are located alongside the Fonte da Benémola, a protected area, an important point of visit to the parish. Fonte da Benémola covers an area of 392 hectares, intersected by the Ribeira de Menalva, an affluent that maintains 60% of its flow throughout the year.

Architecture

Civic

• Fountain of Benemola (Template:Langx)
• Lime Kilns of Fonte Benémola (Template:Langx)
• Roman Bridge of Tôr (Template:Langx)
• Water Mill of Fonte Benémola (Template:Langx)

Religious

• Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Template:Langx)

Culture

The parish is famous for its arbutus, producing an appreciated sausage, along with other varieties. The Festa das Chouriças is, among others, one of the high points of the parish's annual festivities, in Querença. Local gastronomy is preserved by many of the restaurants, including: Galinha Cerejada, Galo de Cabidela and Xerém (a maize porridge, traditional in the Algarve).