Cantanhede ( Portuguese pronunciation: [kɐ̃tɐˈɲeðɨ] ) is a city and municipality in the Coimbra District , in the Centro Region, Portugal . The population in 2011 was 36,595, in an area of 390.88 km.
5-762: Cantanhede is located in the Coimbra District , in the Baixo Mondego subregion of the Centro Region , halfway between the cities of Coimbra and Aveiro , in Portugal. This small town is located just 25 km from the very popular beaches of Mira and Tocha on the Atlantic coast. The name "Cantanhede" comes from the Celtic cant , which means "great stone", and refers to the quarries in
10-455: A trade fair , agricultural show and festival, is a major event in the region and is organized every year in July, attracting thousands of visitors to Cantanhede. The municipality is subdivided into the following parishes: Coimbra District Coimbra District ( Portuguese : Distrito de Coimbra , pronounced [kuˈĩbɾɐ] or [ˈkwĩbɾɐ] ) is located in
15-497: Is home to Biocant Park , a biotechnology park. This park is attracting biosciences companies to Cantanhede, and has the scientific background of the University of Coimbra and Aveiro University , both associated entities of the project. Cantanhede was growing fast, and the inauguration of the C.C. Rossio (local shopping center) helped to boost the area's economy. EXPOFACIC - Feira Agrícola, Comercial e Industrial de Cantanhede,
20-586: The Lei n.º 69/91, de 16 de Agosto in August 1991, and being home to a number of large and elegant houses, dating back to the 19th century, Cantanhede was granted foral in 1514 by the king Manuel I of Portugal . In 2024, the limestone of Ançã was recognised as a World Heritage Stone. Traditionally a major agriculture center, Cantanhede is at the heart of the Bairrada DOC which produces famed wines. The town
25-434: The region. It was the original Cantonieti , mentioned in the documentation of the centuries 11th, 12th and 13th also with the spellings Cantoniedi , Cantonidi and Cantonetu . Its first historical references dating back to 1087, date on which Sisnando Davides , governor of Coimbra, provided the village with fortification and promoted its repopulation. With a well-preserved urban area elevated to city ( cidade ) status by
#119880