ALPIARÇA
N 39.26046; W 8.58527
It is the headquarters of a small municipality with 95.36 km² in area and 7 702 inhabitants (2011), which corresponds to a demographic density of 80.8 inhabitants / km², being one of the six municipalities in Portugal that have only one parish, corresponding to the entire territory of the municipality. The municipality is limited to the northeast and east by the municipality of Chamusca, to the southeast and southwest by Almeirim, and to the northwest by Santarém.
The geographical situation of the village of Alpiarça, located on the left bank of the Tagus, favored human occupation from the Lower Paleolithic to the Roman era.
Transportation:
The village of Alpiarça is accessible by public transport, through a set of road routes at Rodoviária do Tejo:
-Interurban Santarém-Abrantes and Santarém-Torres Novas (via the left bank), plus the respective partial developments;
-Fast Lisbon-Chamusca
In addition to these, there is also the Expresso route that links Lisbon-Abrantes on the left bank of the Tagus between Santarém and Abrantes, contemplating a stop in Alpiarça.
Deeply linked to fieldwork and quality agricultural production - wines, melons, watermelons, tomatoes, corn, etc. -, Alpiarça has been diversifying its economic activities, with emphasis on a tourist, cultural, and leisure offer that is assumed as an important factor of attractiveness.
Casa dos Patudos - Alpiarça Museum is the ex-libris of the municipality. Former residence of the republican political leader José Relvas (who left all his assets to the municipality), it contains one of the most important and valuable collections of paintings, sculpture, porcelain, and tapestries in the country.
The area surrounding Albufeira dos Patudos brings together several places of tourist interest. There are archaeological sites, the Reserva Natural do Cavalo do Sorraia, Paul da Gouxa, the Complex of Municipal Swimming Pools, and various sports and leisure facilities. The reservoir's water level is an ideal place for fishing and the stage for regular triathlon and canoeing events.
