Avis (), formerly spelled Aviz, is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

in the District of Portalegre in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 4,571, in an area of 605.97 km². The present Mayor is Nuno Silva, elected by the Unitary Democratic Coalition. The municipal holiday is Easter Monday.

History

The fortified city, of which parts have been preserved, was home to the Knights of the Order of Aviz. The Order grew into the

Kingdom of Portugal The Kingdom of Portugal was a Portuguese monarchy, monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula and the predecessor of the modern Portuguese Republic. Existing to various extents between 1139 and 1910, it was also known as the Kingdom of Portugal a ...

's second dynasty, the

House of Aviz The House of Aviz (Portuguese language, Portuguese: ''Casa de Avis'' ), also known as the Joanine Dynasty (''Dinastia Joanina''), was a dynasty of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which flourished during the Portuguese Renaissance, Renaissanc ...

, and its name today subsists as one of the Portuguese Republic's highest military honors.

Gallery

File:Avis.jpg, Bridge into the town. File:Avis3.jpg, Church and convent of São Bento of Avis.

Climate

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 6 civil parishes ('' freguesias''): * Alcórrego e Maranhão * Aldeia Velha * Avis * Benavila e Valongo * Ervedal * Figueira e Barros

References

External links