Bombarral

Bombarral (Portuguese pronunciation: [bõbɐˈʁaɫ]) is a Portuguese municipality in the Oeste Subregion, region Centro. The population in 2011 was 13,193, in an area of 91.29 km². It includes four civil parishes (Portuguese: freguesia) that provide local services.

History

It is known that the area of Bombarral was occupied during the geological period, and there exist vestiges of human settlement throughout the municipality, including pre-historic remnants in Gruta Nova, Lapa do Suão and the Neolithic fortifications of Columbeira and the Castro de São Mamede.

Most documented references to Bombarral begin in the 14th century, when the area was under the dominion of the Monastery of Alcobaça.

With the creation of Portugal, King Afonso Henriques donated the lands to Cistercian monks, around 1153. Before, the Battle of Aljubarrota King John of Portugal stayed in Bombarral with his Knight, Luís Henriques, in the strong-house that would later be converted into the municipality's council hall.