Last modified: 2024-10-05 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: valhelhas | tower | cross |
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![[Valhelhas commune flag]](../images/p/pt-grdva.gif)
2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 Sep 2024
It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a field quartered of yellow and blue.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 Sep 2024
Shield Sable with base wavy of Argent and Azure, an impending embattled tower Argent masoned Sable with port and windows Azure, charged with an orbicular cross Gules above the window and a cross patty Gules charged with a Greek cross Argent beneath, the whole flanked by two corn plants Or. Mural crown Argent with four visible towers (town rank) and short white scroll, in Bénard Guedes style, reading in black upper case serifed letters "VALHELHAS".
Meaning:
The base wavy is a representation of the Zêzere River, here being the border between the districts of GuardaGuarda and Castelo Branco. The plants are symbolising agriculture. The tower is a representation of the former castle and fortification.
Valhelhas had been seat of a municipality between 1187 and 1855. The approval of its rank as a town was given by Dom Sancho I in 1187, confirmed by Dom Afonso II in 1217 and renewed by Dom Manuel I in 1514. The town was walled and had a castle, used by the Order of Templars, represented by the orbicular cross above, and by the Order of the Knights of Christ, represented by the cross patty beneath. The municipality was absorbed in 1855. The castle was partially destroyed by artillery of French invaders in 1810.
Sources: Hiperglobal webpage and Portuguese WIKIPEDIA
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 Sep 2024
Published in Diário da República: III Série on 19 January 2001
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 Sep 2024
Valhelhas is one of the 35 communes of Guarda Municipality not affected by the 2013 changes; it had 1374 inhabitants in 1801, covered 54 km² and had three communes. It increased in 1849 to eight communes with 4802 inhabitants and covered 130 km². In 2021 the town had just 303 inhabitants remaining and covers 15,6 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 Sep 2024
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