Estela is one of the seven civil parishes of Póvoa de Varzim , Portugal. The population in 2011 was 2,307, in an area of 11.54 km².
8-467: Estela is known for the traditional masseira farm practice in sand dunes and its name derives from Latin Stella (star). It is the largest agricultural parish of Póvoa de Varzim and, along with Aguçadoura and Navais, it forms the agricultural area of Póvoa de Varzim. These parishes despite having small populations experienced very sharp population declines. The built up area is becoming of suburban nature, due to
16-485: A rectangular depression surrounded on four sides by sloping banks, known as the quatro valos ("four walls"). Each individual depression covers an area from 1,000 to 10,000 square metres. Grapes are cultivated on the banks to the south, east and west, and trees and reeds on the northern slope act as a windbreak against the prevailing northern wind. Garden crops, such as cabbage , carrot , lettuce , spinach , onion , tomato , potato , and radish , are grown in
24-616: A shoreline in the Atlantic Ocean by the west. With the city, Estela is one of the zones most dynamic at tourist level of municipality, there’s a golf course, considered one of the best link courses in Portugal, the camping park and hotels. In the 18th century, the monks of Tibães planted pinewood, which today characterizes the civil parish of Estela. Contriz, Teso, Urzes, Carrascos, Baldoia, Barros, Frinjo, Fontainha, Carregosa, Igreja, Outeiro, Estrada, and Pedrinha. Masseira Masseira
32-584: Is a unique form of traditional farming practised in Póvoa de Varzim and Esposende in Portugal. The masseira technique increases agricultural yields by using large, rectangular depressions dug into the sand dunes of the region, with the sand piled up into banks on the sides of the depression. The term masseira , from the Portuguese for "kneading trough", refers to their characteristic shape. This practice has fallen into disuse. The masseira technique relies upon
40-460: The central depression. The sandy soil of the banks stores the sun's heat, enhancing the growth of the grape vines. The banks protect the central area from the wind, and the depression is also cooler and damper than the surrounding land. A change in temperature is created by banks only a few metres high. Allied with the four vine-covered slopes, the masseiras function as a sort of greenhouse . Large amounts of fresh water are required to irrigate
48-476: The crops, together with sargassum seaweed (gathered from the nearby Atlantic Ocean during the summer) for fertilization . This type of agriculture was invented in the 18th century by the monks from the Monastery of Tibães , and was once widely used along the coasts of Póvoa de Varzim and Esposende. Currently this type of agriculture is endangered due to the increase in popularity of conventional greenhouses,
56-490: The fast access to the core of Póvoa de Varzim throw the EN13 highway. Local horticultural formerly consumed regionally is currently exported to other Western European markets. Its large fine sand dune beaches are a popular destination for nudists and holds a notable links golf course in the beachfront. Estela Parish is known since at least the 11th century. The "Couto" letter of the parish of Estela and Villa Mendo dates from 1140 and
64-422: Was given by king Afonso I , the first king of Portugal to the monks of Tibães. It is said, that in this document, King Afonso declares himself by the first time as King of Portugal. Estela is located 7 km from the north of Póvoa de Varzim City Center . The north has border with the municipality of Esposende , at east by Laúndos , the south with the parishes of Aguçadoura , Navais , and Terroso and it as
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