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Estela (Póvoa de Varzim)

Parishes of Póvoa de Varzim
Dunas Aguçadoura Estela
Dunas Aguçadoura Estela

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. 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 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.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Estela (Póvoa de Varzim) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Estela (Póvoa de Varzim)
EM 502, Póvoa de Varzim

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Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 41.446 ° E -8.75 °
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Address

EM 502
4570-231 Póvoa de Varzim
Portugal
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Dunas Aguçadoura Estela
Dunas Aguçadoura Estela
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Alto River
Alto River

The Alto River (Portuguese: Rio Alto, lit. 'High River'; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈaltu])) is a small river in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, Porto District, Portugal. The river's source is at the foot of São Félix Hill in Laundos Parish, and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Rio Alto Beach in Estela Parish. The shoreline of Estela is also known as the Rio Alto. The Alto's minute estuary area is known for its wide sand dunes and has become a tourist destination. One of the local facilities is the Camping Park of Rio Alto, which is surrounded by a forest of pine trees planted by the Monks of Tibães in the 18th century and the peculiar masseiras farm fields, which were also made by these monks. Nearby are the Estela Golf Club, and the naturist beach area of Alto River. To the north are the ruins of the Roman villa known as Villa Mendo, which was abandoned in the beginning of the early years of Portugal. In 1908, two local individuals, knowing that ancient artifacts were sometimes found in the area, decided to investigate the place and discovered jewels, gold and silver. They took the jewels to a silversmith who verified the value and antiquity of the artifacts and spoke to António Rocha Peixoto, an archaeologist who was in Póvoa de Varzim. Peixoto and José Fortes asked the finders about the location of the findings. Some time later, Fortes published an article in the Portugália stating that these jewels were of the Castro culture. Several people tried to find the town that was probably below the sand dunes, but without success, and only a few minor findings were made. In June 1992, while removing sands, a bulldozer driver found a wall and ceramics, remains of the lost Roman villa.