Penela

Castle of Penela (Portuguese: Castelo de Penela, Portuguese pronunciation: [kɐʃˌtɛlu ðɨ pɨˈnɛlɐ]) is located in a Penela town in Penela Municipality in Coimbra District, Portugal. The castle was built on a hill dominating the area and used to be a stronghold protecting Coimbra in times of Reconquista. Castle of Penela and the neighboring castle Montemor-o-Velho are both fine examples of defensive structures of that period. The origins of the name are controversial and are attributed by some authors to ancient Celtic tribes. According to a local legend, King Afonso I (Afonso Henriques) exclaimed to incite his troops storming the stronghold: Coragem! Já estamos com o pé nela! (Courage! We have already set a foot in it!). A more plausible hypothesis is, however, that penela is a diminutive of penha, a place selected to build a fortress on.

The Penela Municipal Chamber (Portuguese: Câmara Municipal de Penela) is the administrative authority in the municipality of Penela. It has 4 freguesias in its area of jurisdiction and is based in the town of Penela, on the Coimbra District. These freguesias are: Cumeeira; Espinhal; Podentes and São Miguel, Santa Eufémia e Rabaçal. The Penela City Council is made up of 5 councillors, representing, currently, two different political forces. The first candidate on the list with the most votes in a municipal election or, in the event of a vacancy, the next candidate on the list, takes office as President of the Municipal Chamber.

Espinhal is a civil parish in the municipality of Penela, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 775, in an area of 29.38 square kilometres (11.34 sq mi).

Miranda do Corvo (Portuguese pronunciation: [miˈɾɐ̃dɐ ðu ˈkoɾvu] ) is a town and a municipality in the Portuguese district of Coimbra, with an area of 126.38 square kilometres (48.80 sq mi) and 2011 population of 13,098 inhabitants.

The Fountain of Calvo (Portuguese: Fonte do Calvo) is a public/communal fountain and lavoir in the civil parish of Almalaguês, municipality of Coimbra that has existed for over 100 years, and integral to the history and culture of the community. The inhabitants of Almalaguês have systematically restored the fountain and lavoir historically, owing to its reputation for water quality. It has been the centre of the community since the regions formation, its waters used for domestic consumption (drinking and cooking), bathing and as a source of waters for communal clothes washing. Owing to the lack of piped water, this fountain provided all consumable water for the community. Transporting of water was usually completed using clay jars, used by many of the residents, and only replaced in the 20th century by the typical plastic bottles. The fountain was also the destination of pilgrimages, including a legendary trip on Sunday Mass, where young people took the opportunity to date. Its centre of community life also allow the congregation of many of residents at the fountain, resulting in many relationships, leading to several marriages.

Almalaguês (in old orthography, Almalaguez) is a civil parish in the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 3,111, in an area of 23.16 km².

The Tower of Bera (Portuguese: Torre de Bera) is the remains of a medieval watchtower located in the civil parish of Almalaguês, in the municipality of Coimbra, Portuguese Coimbra.

Assafarge is a former civil parish in the southern part of the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Assafarge e Antanhol. It has a population of 2268 inhabitants (2001 Census) and occupies an area of 9.72 km2 (3.75 sq mi).

Castelo Viegas is a former civil parish in the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 1,695, in an area of 7.11 km2. On 28 January 2013 it merged with Santa Clara to form Santa Clara e Castelo Viegas.The first mention is in 1122 with the name Castel Venegas.

The Paiva River (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpajˈvɐ]) is a river that rises in the Sierra de Leomil, more specifically in the parish of Pêra Velha, Aldeia de Nacomba e Ariz - belonging to the municipality of Moimenta da Beira - and flows into the Douro, in Castelo de Paiva, flowing through the parish of Fornos on the left bank. On the right bank, it flows through the parish of Souselo, Cinfães. It is classified as a Site of Community Importance in the Natura 2000 Network.

Assafarge e Antanhol is a civil parish in the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Assafarge and Antanhol. The population in 2011 was 5,302, in an area of 19.51 km².

Cernache is a civil parish in the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. The population in 2021 was 3,957, in an area of 19.17 km2.