Melides
Civil parish
Lagoon and beach
Lagoon and beach
Flag of Melides
Flag
Melides is located in Portugal
Melides
Melides
Location in Portugal
Coordinates: 38°10′N 8°44′W / 38.167°N 8.733°W / 38.167; -8.733
Country Portugal
RegionAlentejo
DistrictSetúbal
Area
 • Total155.2 km2 (59.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total1,459
 • Density9.4/km2 (24/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)

Melides is a parish in the Grândola municipality in the Setúbal District of Portugal. It has an area of 155.2 km2 and had 1,459 inhabitants as of the census of 2021. The agricultural parish borders the Atlantic Ocean and has become a popular area for summer homes.[1]

History

Occupation of the area dates back to the Neolithic era. The Dolmen of Pedra Branca is a megalithic burial tomb from around 2500 BCE, while the Necrópole de Cistas das Casas Velhas is a Bronze Age necropolis. Both can be visited.[2][3]

In 1870 Melides became part of the municipality of Santiago do Cacém. In 1895 it returned to being part of the Grândola municipality. It has a well-preserved old village centre with the small traditional church of S. Pedro from the 18th century.[3]

Present day

Melides has been a rice-cultivating area. Forests of eucalyptus, pine and cork are common. Like the neighbouring village of Vila Nova de Santo André, Melides village is known for its fishing and the sale of fresh fish in the small market hall in the centre of the village. The village is believed to date back to the end of the 15th century. Fishing was restricted in the 16th century by siltation, leading the villagers to both adopt agriculture and produce pottery and cork products.[3]

These days, there are an increasing number of summer houses near the beach, around the village and in the surrounding hills, which are mainly occupied during the high season. There is also a luxury resort, with a golf course, as well as two large campsites.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melides.
  1. ↑ "2021 Census". INE. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Soares, Joaquina. "Dolmen da Pedra Branca e percurso megalítico nas terras baixas de Melides-Cascalheira". Atlas do Sudoeste Portugués. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Freguesia de Melides". Grândola Municipality. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
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