Praca Marques Pombal
Vila Real d.S.A.: Praça Marques de Pombal
The square in the centre of the town has been named after the prime miniser of Portugal, who was responsible for the fast reconstruction of Vila Real d.S.A.
Vila Real: Archirecture
The houses around the square all have the same size and scope. Together with the rectangular pattern of the streets this was one of the measures to achieve a minimum construction time.
Vila Real: Parish Church
The church is situated at the northern end of the square. The obelisk in the middle of the square is dedicated to King José I, under whose reign the town was built in 1774 within only 5 months. To honour the king, Marques de Pombal gave the new settlement the name "Vila Real", i.e. royal town.
