Aldeia do Mato
Aldeia do Mato is a former "freguesia" ("civil parish"), located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Aldeia do Mato e Souto. The population in 2011 was 441, in an area of 31.68 km². History. The parish had its beginning in the 13th century, when the area was then referred to as "Aldeia da Mata", and recognized for the quantity of wood gathered in the district ("aldeia da mata" is Portuguese for "hamlet of the hinterland"). It was also recognized for the land rents obtained from  cultivation and harvesting of olive and pine trees. The parochial church, dedicated to Santa Maria Madalena had its origin in the 18th century. A marble cross was located near the two fountains of São João and São José, and later restored in 1850. The construction of the "Barregem do Castelo do Bode" ("Castelo do Bode Dam") in 1951, caused the disappearance of the fields of olive trees which were lost to make way for the new reservoir. Geography. The parish is located in the northeastern part of the municipality, neighboring the parishes of Souto (to the northeast and east), Martinchel  (to the west), São Vicente (in the east) and Rio de Moinhos (along the west) and with the municipalities of Tomar (to the north) and Constância (to the east). It contains the localities Aldeia do Mato, Bairros Cimeiro, Cabeça Gorda, Carreira do Mato, Casinha, Fundeiro, Medroa, Pucariça, Vale de Chões and Vale Manso. Economy. Between 50-60 percent of the lands in the parish remain dedicated to cultivation of trees for harvesting, primarily pine but gradually eucalyptus, for its rapid growth. Culture. The region is known for its culinary; in addition to several restaurants, the local peoples of the region  are known for their "broas de santos" and "bolo de fugas". Locally, the annual festival season is marked by the festival of Aldeia do Mato (on the last weekend of July), Cabeça Gorda (the second weekend of August), and the festival of Carreira do Mato (fourth weekend in August).