MATOSINHOS

also spelled Matozinhos, town and concelho (township), Porto distrito (district), northwestern Portugal. The town, a northwestern suburb of Porto city, lies at the mouth of the Lea River along the Atlantic Ocean. Originally known as Matusiny (1258), it received its charter from King Manuel I in 1514 and, by decree of Queen Maria II, became a town in 1853. In the Church of Bom Jesus de Bouas is a crucifix reputedly carved by the Nicodemus who, according to the Bible, helped to bury Jesus; it inspires annual pilgrimages. The town's artificial harbour, the Porto de Leixoes, serves as the principal (wine export) port of Porto and northern Portugal. Situated in a beach resort area, Matosinhos is also an important fishing harbour for large local canneries. Pop. (1981) town, 26,426; (1987 est.) concelho, 144,800.