Chaves

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Image:Chavesromanbridge.jpg Image:CHV.png Chaves (pron. IPA [[[Template:IPA]]]) is the second most populous city in the district of Vila Real, Portugal, after the district capital of the same name. It is located 12 km. south of the Spanish border, just 22 km south of Verín. The district capital, Vila Real, is 60 km south on National Highway 02. Aquae Flaviae is the ancient Roman name for this city.

The population of the concelho of Chaves was 40,000 in the 2001 census, with the urban area having approximately 15,000 people. The town has always had great historical importance, being the site of an important Roman garrison and later being in the forefront of resistance during the Napoleonic invasions of the early nineteenth century. In Portuguese military history Chaves is especially famous for two battles: the siege of Chaves by French forces in 1807 and the Royalist attack on Chaves led by Henrique Paiva Couceiro in 1912.

Image:Chavescastle.jpg

Chaves is a town of fortifications. There is the keep of a medieval castle and ruins of two forts, Forte São Francisco and Forte São Neutel, both built in the 17th century. The original Roman bridge in Chaves crossing the Tamega still stands with its stone arches and is the most important tourist site of the town. The hot springs of Chaves have been famous since Roman times and today many people come to the town to take the water cure.

Agriculture and services are still the main sources of income. The traditional prosperity of Chaves comes, mainly, from a highly fertile plain, nine km. long and three to five wide. Since the land can be irrigated with canals there is intensive farming, mainly of potatoes, corn, rye, hay, and plots of vegetables for sale in the local market. There is one main canal which begins near Vila Verde da Raia and crosses the valley on the right bank of the Tâmega as far as Nantes.

Image:Narrowstreets.jpg On the whole, the land is made up of small plots that are rarely economically viable. There is some dairy farming, and a milk production unit on the south side of town, but few cows can be seen in the valley. In general most of the farmers are of retirement age and farming is often pursued more as a hobby than as a profession.

In addition to agriculture there are some small industries producing glass, tiles, and food products. Like Vila Pouca de Aguiar located 30km south this is granite country. There are several granite extraction and finishing industries. There are also three brickworks on the south side of the city. There are two mineral water plants in nearby Vidago.

Many of the local people have emigrated to northern Europe, especially France. In August these emigrants return to visit their villages and the population of Chaves doubles. It is a time of weddings and village festivals.

Image:Fogchaves.jpg The climate in Chaves is transitional between Atlantic Maritime Temperate and Continental. The mountains between the Minho region and Tras-os-Montes serve as a climactic barrier and lessen rainfall as one moves in an easterly direction. Winters can be cold with January highs rarely reaching 10º and lows often going below zero. Thick fog hovering over the valley is also common on dry days. Summer is characterized by dry days with maximums around 30º and minimums around 15º. Summer brush fires can often make this season unpleasant.

Chaves has always been isolated from the coastal urban centers and has suffered from a lack of road communications. A new four-lane highway--the IP 3--is presently under construction and the Vila Verde da Raia to Vila Pouca de Aguiar stretch is expected to be ready by June 2006. This highway will link Chaves to Vila Real and eventually to Porto.

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