PORTALEGRE

town, capital, and concelho (township), Portalegre distrito ("district"), Portugal. It lies on the western slopes of the Serra de So Mamede, near the Spanish border northeast of Lisbon. It originated as the Roman Amoea, or Ammaia. The Medbriga (Aramenha) ruins, 12 miles (19 km) north, contain Celtic and Roman artifacts. The town is noted for its 17th- and 18th-century architecture characterized by glazed blue tile (azulejo) mosaics and murals; its cathedral (1556) has a huge 18th-century facade. The production of woolen tapestries and of silks constituted important local industries in the 16th and 17th centuries. Contemporary economic pursuits include the weaving of woolen goods, woodworking, and cork processing. The district produces olives, cork, cereals, and Brazil nuts and supports cattle and pigs. Area, district 2,342 square miles (6,065 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) town, 15,150; concelho, 25,623; (1990 est.) district, 134,900.